THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of eight counts of qualified theft against incoming 1-Pacman Representative Michael Romero and two others.

In an eight-page resolution dated June 13, aside from Romero, ordered charged were Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI’s) Chief Operating Officer for Administration Edwin Jeremillo and its Chief Finance Officer Joseph Galvez.

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The three allegedly conspired to take P17.9 million company funds and deposited the money to their personal bank accounts.

“We find that there is enough evidence to show that, more likely than not, the crime of qualified theft has been committed, the respondents committed the crime charged and they should be held for trial,” the DOJ resolution stated.

Romero, in his counter-affidavit, stated that three of the checks issued under his name were for payment for the advances he made for the company while the two other checks worth P7-million were for corporate expenses.

On the other hand, Jeremillo and Galvez in their counter-affidavits, said the checks issued to them were for the operational expenses as part of their transaction with the City of Manila where HCPTI conducts business.

“We are, however, not persuaded by the explanations of the respondents. If the subject checks were indeed issued for legitimate corporate expenses, they should have been issued directly to the persons and entities,” the DOJ resolution approved by Caparas stated.

Earlier, the DOJ and the acting Quezon City Prosecutor dismissed the complaint against Romero and two others.

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