Aloguinsan mayor to face graft raps

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas recommended the filing of two counts for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act against Aloguinsan Mayor Augustus Caesar Moreno for selling two dump trucks.

Graft investigator Sarah Jo Vergara found basis to charge Moreno based on the complaint filed by Danilo Margallo.

The incident happened during the tenure of Moreno as vice mayor.

Margallo alleged that former mayor Cynthia Moreno and Augustus violated the Local Government Code by placing the two dump trucks inside Augustus’ private garage and later selling them for P150,000.

It was the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office that handled the complaint first and sought the assistance of the Commission on Audit in order to verify the complaint of Margallo.

A COA audit team confirmed there were violations of existing rules and regulations with regards to the disposal of unserviceable property of Aloguinsan.

COA said on February 5, 2008 they learned the two dump trucks were sold for P150,000 by Augustus.

The PACPO then upgraded the complaint of Margallo into a case after it was confirmed that Augustus sold the dump trucks with no documents supporting the sale contrary to COA Circular 92-386.

In his counter-affidavit, Augustus denied the accusations claiming he never made his own evaluation regarding the price of the unserviceable dump trucks as bidding was conducted.

He added during the planning stage of the Kinsan Festival, former mayor Cynthia saw the need to remove the dump trucks and he suggested the vehicles be kept in the garage of their family’s construction business.

On September 18, 2007 BAC Chairman Pepito Manguilimotan sent a letter to COA informing them of the bidding to be conducted for unserviceable vehicles which were appraised for P100,000.

Augustus said as no letter coming from the COA stated any possible irregularity, they then proceeded with the bidding.

Since no bidders reported, they then made canvassing for three junk shops and Rufino Alpas’ junk shop offered P150,000. Based on the findings of graft investigator Vergara she said the local government unit has no authority to estimate the monetary value of the property, only the COA can.

Vergara added putting the dump trucks inside the private garage was also anomalous.

“Basic rules in the use and maintenance of government vehicles require that these should be kept in the garage provided by the agency to which they belong, except when in use for strictly official businesses,” she said. — (FREEMAN)