By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Former commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and current executive assistant to Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., Eric Loretizo, denied allegations of using public funds for personal use, following a malversation case filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Provincial Capitol official is charged on seven counts of failure to render accounts and 31 counts of malversation of public funds.
He explained, “Funds being referred to in the complaint were used for my official functions as PSC commissioner from December 2007 until July 2010.”
“I will answer all questions on the case as soon as I have seen the documents,” Loretizo added.
According to the Office of the Ombudsman, Loretizo allegedly failed to liquidate P2.8 million worth of cash advances for travel and other expenses from 2006 to 2011.
The Ombudsman also claimed Loretizo “willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously” misappropriated, misapplied, and embezzled funds intended for his official travel “for his own personal use and benefit.”
Bail is recommended at P1.2 million./WDJ