Ex-Leyte mayor faces graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the filing of a graft case against a former mayor of Pastrana, Leyte for entering into a P2.4-million road infrastructure project allegedly without conducting a public bidding.

Worse, the money was allegedly eventually used not for the building of a 12.242-kilometer highway but rather for the payment of a mere feasibility study by a construction firm.

Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, as acting Ombudsman, said former Pastrana town mayor Joselito Chan, his municipal accountant Jocelyn Morbos-Vilvestre, budget officer Anacleta Gabriete, planning and development officer Imelda Candaza, and treasurer Carmencita Gallego should be charged with violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. – Michael Punongbayan