Ex-Capiz mayor faces graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - Graft charges have been ordered filed against a former town mayor of Capiz for allegedly relieving the municipal budget officer and transferring her to his office.

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered former Mambusao mayor Jose Alba Jr. indicted for showing partiality, neglect and causing undue injury to the government.

Records show that in 2005, Alba proposed to increase the salary of the town’s rank-and-file personnel.

Budget officer Alma Moises informed Alba that the salary increase, being applicable only to rank-and-file employees, was a violation of the law which grants increase to all deserving officials and employees of the government.

Alba allegedly insisted and ordered Moises to prepare the budget, which was disapproved by the municipal council.

Blaming Moises for the disapproval, Alba relieved her from her post and detailed her at his office.

Alba also filed an administrative case against Moises questioning her competence.