Isabela mayor says he is not facing malversation raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of falsification of public documents charges against a town mayor of the province of Isabela for the alleged ghost delivery of vehicles worth P7.5 million eight years ago.

In a letter to The Star, Jones, Isabela Mayor Florante Raspado clarified, however, that the anti-graft agency did not find him liable for malversation of public funds as earlier reported.

He explained that the Office of the Ombudsman, in its Resolution dated July 13, 2010, only recommended the filing of one count of violation of Article 171(4) against him.

The case against Raspado stemmed from the alleged “ghost delivery” of 21 Mitsubishi Delica vans to the province of Isabela in 2003 collectively worth P7,560,000 but the vehicles were not received by the intended beneficiaries.