Ex-PSL execs sued for embezzlement

The Philippine Superliga (PSL) has filed a criminal complaint against its two former officials for supposedly embezzling more than P6.7 million in corporate funds.

Sued for qualified theft before the Taguig City prosecutor’s office were Ramon “Tats” Suzara and Donaldo Jose Caringal, erstwhile president and treasurer, respectively, after the duo allegedly withdrew millions from the league’s funds without PSL authorization.

Suzara is now the executive director of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, the body overseeing the biennial regional multisport event that will be held in the country later this year.

“Since both respondents … withdrew directly from the account of the corporation without any valid authority, each of them abused [their] relationship with the [PSL],” read the 11-page complaint filed by PSL president Adrian Paolo Laurel, a copy of which was furnished the Department of Justice last week.

“They abused the high degree of confidence given to them through their positions in the corporation. Hence, the taking of the cash of the corporation was done with grave abuse of confidence,” it said.

Among the alleged unauthorized disbursements were three checks worth about P400,000 made payable to Suzara and two checks amounting P4 million and P2 million that were released for Caringal.

“There is no board resolution authorizing the release of cash advance to any of the board of directors or officers of the corporation,” Laurel said.

The Inquirer tried to get the side of Suzara but calls and text messages remained unanswered at press time.