Graft, estafa charges filed vs Camarines Norte gov

Government prosecutors Friday filed graft and estafa charges before the Sandigan­bayan Second Division against Camarines Norte Gov. Jesus Typoco Jr. in connection with his alleged refusal to pay a supplier an amount of almost P15-million for the delivery of school armchairs and farm implements and supplies to the provincial compound in Daet from 2001 to 2002.

In two separate criminal  Informations, the Office of the Ombudsman said Typo­co caused injury to Ildefonso Macaraig, owner and proprietor of Crown IBM Trading based in Batangas City, who secured a supply contract with the provincial government on Dec. 1, 2001 to June 6, 2002.

Assistant Special Prosecutor III Bienvenida Gruta said Typoco was charged with violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for his issuance of a purchase order in favor of Macaraig despite knowing that “there was no corresponding appropriation for the payment” of the items mentioned, the Information said.