Pampanga mayor, 2 others face graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the filing of graft charges against the mayor of Mexico, Pampanga for allowing illegal quarrying in a private property in 2005.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro said facing charges along with Mayor Teddy Tumang are barangay chairman Rafael Yabut and one Pantaleon Martin.

Tumang allegedly permitted quarrying in a property belonging to a certain Eduardo Batac.

In June 2005, Batac said he personally saw how the quarrying damaged his property, as the land was reduced to below ground level and was unevenly leveled. 

In July 2005, Batac wrote a letter to Tumang requesting for a halt to the illegal quarrying but the mayor allegedly claimed that Martin was a tenant of the property and that he gave the authority to Martin to conduct the quarrying as he was the occupant of the land.