Catapang orders charges vs two former CIW officials, five others

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. has ordered the filing of administrative, criminal, and civil cases against two former superintendents of the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) and five other personnel over alleged irregularities in the administration and handling of funds entrusted to them by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

This after an investigation by the Directorate for Intelligence and Investigation (DII), Catapang approved the recommendation to initiate administrative proceedings before the BuCor Office of Internal Affairs Service against C/SSupt. Daisy Sevilla-Castillote, CT/SSupt. Marjorie Ann Sanidad, CO2 Bianca Flor C. Ramos, CO1 Maryrose Y. Abucay, CO1 Madel C. Figuerres, CO1 Gloria N. Lakisa, and CO1 Charlot Jennifer L. Carreon.

The BuCor chief also directed the filing of appropriate criminal and civil cases against the personnel involved.

In its investigative report dated 30 August 2026, the DII found that Ramos, who served as CIW Trust Fund Officer, was unable to account for P5,153,375 in PDL Trust Fund. The amount on the final audit report of the parallel investigation conducted by the BuCor Internal Audit Service Unit on August 25, 2026, however reflected unaccounted amount of P6.4 million without deducting the more than P1.2 million accounted amount yet to be collected or listed as receivables.

Catapang said that a second review will be conducted to reconcile the difference.

Castillote based on the report, will face administrative proceedings for gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct in connection with her tenure as CIW superintendent. According to the investigation, she failed to exercise the required diligence in supervising, monitoring, reconciling, and maintaining institutional control over the PDL Trust Fund.

She was also found to have failed to comply with the BuCor PDL Trust Fund Policy, the primary guideline governing the management, responsibility, monitoring, and supervision of the fund.

It further alleged that Castillote expressly authorized the use of PDL Trust Fund money for the renovation and improvement of the Multipurpose Hall, Overseer’s Office, and Investigation and Verification Section Unit (IVSU), in violation of restrictions on the administration, use, and disposition of trust fund resources.

Sanidad, who served as acting CIW superintendent before Castillote’s appointment, was also cited for authorizing the advancement of P300,000 from the Trust Fund to cover an LBC remittance intended for PDLs that reportedly had not been properly transmitted. The transaction was likewise deemed inconsistent with existing policies governing the use and disposition of PDL Trust Fund resources.

Ramos, who was the Trust Fund Officer, meanwhile, was unable to satisfactorily explain the whereabouts, disposition, or utilization of the P5,153,375 deficiency.

Abucay, who was designated as the incoming CIW Trust Fund Officer, was cited for deficiencies related to the turnover of duties. These included the absence of a formal turnover document, the lack of independent witnesses during the turnover of cash and other accountabilities, and her failure to ensure the adequate documentation and verification of funds subsequently discovered after the turnover.

The investigation also identified deficiencies involving Figuerres, Lakisa, and Carreon in the performance of their duties as Trust Fund staff. These included lapses in the recording, documentation, monitoring, reconciliation, maintenance, and verification of Trust Fund transactions and related records.

BuCor said the personnel’s collective shortcomings contributed to weaknesses in the accuracy, reliability, and accountability of PDL Trust Fund documentation.