New graft case filed vs Chavit

Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson is facing another graft case in the Office of the Ombudsman, this time involving the alleged overpricing of a 26,693-square-meter lot which the provincial government purchased in February 1998.

In a five-page complaint they filed yesterday, Nestor Segis—mundo, David Roca and Araia Ilustre alleged that Singson paid P26 million for the lot in Santa, Ilocos Sur even if the land’s value was assessed at only P2.15 million.

"The purported transaction redounded to the benefit of Singson and was grossly disadvantageous to the people," they said.

They claimed that Juanito Perinion, who, incidentally, was an employee of Singson, was the vendor in the deed of sale.

Perinion, they claimed, was then employed at Solid Broadcasting System, a Singson-owned radio station whose manager was the former governor’s son, Ronald. He is now a "messenger" at Singson’s security agency in San Andres, Manila.

Last week, Segismundo’s group also filed graft charges against Singson and five other former Ilocos Sur officials for the alleged "ghost" purchase of a P9.5-million backhoe in February last year.