Davao City mayor cleared of raps

DAVAO CITY — Ombudsman Aniano Desierto has cleared Davao City Mayor Benjamin de Guzman and 18 others of graft charges filed by a city councilor over the construction of the P300-million Davao City Artica Sports Dome without approval from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Desierto based his decision on the graft complaint filed by councilor Nenita Orcullo against De Guzman and officials of City Hall and the Land Bank of the Philippines, on the recommendation of the Ombudsman’s Mindanao office.

Also named in the complaint were consultants and architects of the sports dome project.

De Guzman is reportedly planning to file counter-charges against Orcullo.— Edith Regalado