Ex-Albay mayor gets 8 years over vehicle repair deal

MANILA, Philippines - A former municipal mayor in Albay has been sentenced to a maximum of eight years in prison over an anomalous vehicle maintenance contract in 2003, the Office of the Ombudsman announced yesterday.

Aside from prison terms, the Sandiganbayan disqualified former Camalig mayor Paz Muñoz and municipal engineer Rene Ortonio from holding public office.

The ombudsman said the Commission on Audit (COA) discovered irregularities in a deal entered into by the municipal government for the repair and maintenance of the town hall’s five vehicles.

Based on a 2003 COA report, the municipal government paid P447,000 to private firm Legazpi Tireworld Corp. (LTC).

The COA said the amount was exorbitant, noting the lack of pre- and post-inspection reports and irregularities  in the bidding process.

Two of the vehicles were not in running condition despite the maintenance works done by the LTC, state authorities said.

Muñoz claimed it was an honest mistake, as she was busy attending to her duties.

Associate Justice Napoleon Inoturan said the irregularities were too numerous and blatant to be attributed to a mistake.

Ex-mayor fined for malversation

Meanwhile, a former town mayor in Bukidnon was found guilty of malversation for using public funds meant for tourism and festival celebration to construct a function hall.

Aside from former Kibawe mayor Luciano Ligan, the anti-graft court found former municipal treasurer Ma. Asuncion Codilla, budget officer Narciso Chaves Jr. and accountant Ellen Piquero guilty of the charges.

The respondents were fined P13,000 each, representing five percent of the total amount of funds misused.

The Sandiganbayan said the respondents failed to convince the court that the construction of a multipurpose hall was connected to the municipality’s tourism activities and programs.