Air Force general, three others slapped with graft charges

An Air Force general and a major, along with two civilians, were separately charged yesterday with graft and fraud before the Sandiganbayan for the unauthorized sale of generators valued at P1.2 million.

Bail of P40,000 each was recommended for their temporary liberty.

Charged were Brig. Gen. Vladimir Binondo de los Trino, 2nd Tactical Operations Wing commander; Maj. Antonio Jason Garcia, 564th supply squadron commander; engineer Dante Nelmida Senen, supply officer in Cebu City; and businessman Antonio Ularte.

Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio said the PAF officials "conspired" to give Ularte "unwarranted benefits" when they allowed him in December 2002 to bid without authorization for four Caterpillar backup power generators at a lower price.

The generators, worth a total of P1.2 million, were sold to Ularte for only P800,000. According to Ignacio, the remaining balance from the misappropriated funds was pocketed by the accused to the damage and injury of the government. — Delon Porcalla