MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman ordered yesterday the suspension for six months and the filing of criminal charges against the mayor of Lanao del Norte and two of his aides over the illegal demolition of houses.
Kauswagan Mayor Rommel Arnado as well as his security officers Rey Camanian and Lauro Diputado were found guilty of grave abuse of authority and will be indicted for three counts of grave coercion and three counts of malicious mischief.
Graft probers said members of the Kauswagan police led by Arnado dismantled houses and properties in Barangay Tacub without a court order.
“It appears that Arnado as the municipal mayor and Camanian and Diputado committed acts constitutive of oppression in the discharge of their respective functions,” the anti-graft court said.
Ex-Basilan mayor indicted
Meanwhile, the ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft charges against former Sumisip, Basilan mayor Haber Asarul over an alleged questionable personal loan.
Asarul will be indicted with municipal treasurer Camlian Borjal and accountant Marad Abdulkarim for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Local Government Code.
Borjal and Abdulkarim were also ordered dismissed for grave misconduct and dishonesty.
Records show that in 2010, Asarul directed Borjal and Abdulkarim to secure a P2-million loan in his behalf from a certain Almashour Alibasa by using the municipality’s funds as collateral.
Two postdated checks from the LandBank of the Philippines were issued to Alibasa.
Graft probers said the respondents failed to settle the loan despite repeated demands.
“Undoubtedly, without their respective positions, respondents could not have orchestrated a scheme of issuing postdated checks and municipal accountant’s advice of local check disbursements that meddled with the municipality’s funds,” the anti-graft court stated in its ruling.
Under the Local Government Code, it is unlawful for any local government official or employee to directly or indirectly possess or use any public property for private purposes.