New graft raps filed vs Cagayan de Oro mayor

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a new set of graft charges against Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno over alleged anomalous contracts for the lease of heavy equipment when he was governor of Misamis Oriental.

Moreno was recently charged with two counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Sandiganbayan.

Former provincial administrator Patrick Gabutina, acting provincial accountant Divina Bade, acting provincial budget officer and bids and awards committee vice chairman Elmer Wabe and assistant provincial engineer and BAC member Rolando Pacuribot were included in the charge sheets.

The ombudsman said the respondents conspired in giving “unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference” to private supplier Earth Tools, which was awarded two lease contracts totaling P1.955 million without public bidding.

Bail was recommended at P60,000 each.

Moreno was  indicted for  graft last month for the alleged anomalous lease of an excavator amounting to P4.04 million from December 2007 to July 2008.

In August last year, the ombudsman ordered the filing of 18 counts of graft against Moreno and several former provincial government officials over the lease of heavy equipment for road maintenance projects from 2007 to 2012.

The ombudsman had earlier ordered Moreno’s dismissal for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service in connection with the alleged anomalous lease deals.

However, Moreno managed to secure temporary restraining orders from the Court of Appeals.