Ex-village chief faces graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the filing of charges against a former village chief of Cebu for failing to return a government-issued firearm when he stepped down from office. 

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente ordered the indictment of Elmerito Panlaan of Barangay Anopog in Pinamungajan town for malversation of public property.

Investigation showed that Panlaan was issued a 9mm pistol in 2003.

When Pinamungajan Mayor Glenn Baricuatro assumed office in 2013, he issued a memorandum order requiring the municipal treasurer to account for all service vehicles and firearms owned by the local government.

Despite notice and repeated demands, Panlaan failed to return the firearm, and instead submitted an affidavit that he had surrendered it to the town’s police chief in 2006.

The ombudsman said Panlaan’s failure to return the firearm is prima facie evidence that he took it for personal use.