Ombudsman okays raps vs Tuguegarao mayor, 8 others

MANILA, Philippines - Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, in his capacity as acting Ombudsman, has ordered the filing of criminal charges against the mayor of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan as well as four former mayors and four other individuals for various offenses before the Sandiganbayan.

Casimiro said graft charges should be filed against Tuguegarao Mayor Delfin Ting for the unlawful demolition of the city’s central public market, even though he was only authorized to “upgrade” the facility.

Ting’s action caused undue injury to the government and the public because the cost of the demolished portion was only more than P16 million while the book value of the property before its demolition was almost P24 million, the complainant said.

Casimiro said graft charges should also be filed against former Lucena City mayor Ramon Talaga Jr., his zoning administrator, Peter Palamiano, and the managing head of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s bingo department, Marizmelda Dugayo.

The three allegedly allowed BCQ Enterprises to operate traditional bingo games although it lacked a business permit and had been delinquent in paying business dues and taxes. The firm also operated within 200 meters of a school and a church.

Casimiro also ordered the filing of charges against former mayor Antonio Talaue, municipal treasurer Efren Guiyab and municipal accountant Florante Galasinao, all of Sto. Tomas, Isabela, for violation of the Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997.

The three allegedly failed, despite repeated demands, to pay, remit and deliver the GSIS compulsory premium arrearages from 1997 to 2004 amounting to more than P22 million as of July 2004.

Also facing charges is former Calauag mayor Eric Entienza for falsification of public documents for issuing a certification that Annaliza de Torres Prudente, his former live-in partner, served as property custodian of the municipality although she had never been employed by the town. The certification was allegedly issued as supporting document for Prudente’s visa application.

Lastly, former mayor Jorge Bernardo of Morong, Rizal will be charged for violation of Article 237 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes “prolonging performance of duties and powers.”

Bernardo allegedly continued to sign and approve disbursement vouchers releasing government funds amounting to more than P5.4 million from April to May 2004 although he was no longer the mayor and had assumed as member of the Commission on Settlement of Land Problems on April 19, 2004.