Cebu Mayor posts bail for graft case

CEBU, Philippines - Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot posted a bail of P30,000 after a warrant of arrest was issued by the Sandiganbayan against her for an anti-graft case.

Judge Victor Teves sign the order of release of Loot last April 28, 2011.

It was the Sandiganbayan 1st Division that issued the warrant of arrest against Loot on May 25, 2011.

Division Chairman Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz and members Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos found probable cause after they evaluated the resolution made by an anti-graft prosecutor of the office of the Ombudsman.

“After personally perusing the information and evaluating the resolution of the prosecutor, its supporting evidence and the records of the preliminary investigation attached thereto, it appears that sufficient grounds exist for the finding of probable cause for the purpose of issuing the warrant of arrest against Loot,” the order of justices read.

Loot was charged after allegedly taking advantage of her position in refusing to sign the Daily Time Record of Jeronimo Cosido, a permanent employee of Daanbantayan, starting July 16, 2003 resulting to the withholding of the salaries of Cosido.

The unpaid salaries and allowances of Cosido from July 16 to October 8, 2003 amounted to P17,806.35. (FREEMAN)