Graft raps ordered filed vs Laguna ex-mayor, 10 others

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft charges against a former mayor and vice mayor of a Laguna town, along with eight councilors and a private individual in connection with an alleged anomalous water project.

In a statement released on Friday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said former Majayjay mayor Teofilo Guera and the other officials of the local government were indicted for alleged involvement in the bulk water contract in 2011.

Morales affirmed the anti-graft agency’s earlier findings of probable cause against the officials and denied their motions for reconsideration.

Aside from Guera, ordered charged were former vice mayor Ana Linda Rosas; provincial board members Lauro Mentilla, Mauro Aragon, Juancho Andaya, Antonio Zornosa Jr., Mauro Mercolisa Jr., Jovanie Ann Esquillo, and Bernardo de Villa, and private respondent Arcadio Gapangada Jr. of the Israel Builders and Development Corp. (IBDC).

Investigation showed the local government awarded the contract to IBDC despite the firm’s alleged lack of financial capacity and expertise to implement the project.

The ombudsman said the bidding requirement were allegedly circumvented or implicitly waived in favor of the IBDC.

Graft probers said irregularities were noted in the contract as it allegedly did not provide penalties in case of a delay or default in the delivery of the project.

The ombudsman said the records of the case demonstrate conspiracy, as the bulk water contract entered by Guera was approved and ratified by Rosas, Mentilla, Aragon, Andaya, Zornosa, Esquillo and De Villa “despite of its obvious defects and flaws.” 

In the administrative aspect of the case, Morales affirmed the earlier findings of grave misconduct against Guera, Rosas, Mentilla, Aragon, and Esquillo who were ordered dismissed from service.