Ex-brgy captain sued for graft

CEBU, Philippines - A former barangay captain of Sudlon I was charged before the Regional Trial Court for allegedly violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti- Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has found probable cause to charge Dante Tabucal over his alleged failure to enforce the laws and regulations relating to pollution and protection of the environment by tolerating the construction of illegal structures within the Central Cebu Protected Area.

The complaint stated that it was in December 2004 when the public official tolerated the illegal structures of George Tan Oquias within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape area.

 Tabucal allegedly witnessed but did not object to the execution of a waiver of interest over a parcel of land within the CCPL done by the heirs of a certain Victoriano Canillo.

Tabucal also reportedly witnessed and did not object to the payment of P15,000 to Clemencia Cabiles, who is a migrant of the CCPL, in order for her to vacate the land she was living in.

Due to this, the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas, in its recommendation for the filing of the case, stated that Tabucal “in the course of the performance of his official administrative function had given George Tan Oquias unwarranted benefits, to the damage and prejudice of a private person, Clemencia Cabiles and the government.

The case went through a preliminary investigation by the anti-graft office, which stated that they found sufficient grounds that the crime was committed.

The amount of P30,000 was recommended for Tabucal’s temporary liberty.