Ex-Cebu town mayor faces graft, malversation raps

MANILA, Philippines — A former mayor of Daanbantayan, Cebu was recently indicted for graft and malversation of public funds in connection with the alleged questionable implementation of a livelihood project.

The charges were filed against Maria Luisa Loot and former Daanbantayan councilor Samuel Moralde before the Sandiganbayan recently.

Based on the complaints filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, Loot entered into a memorandum of agreement with RBA Quail Raisers Association, of which Moralde was the chairman, on Feb. 28, 2007. The MOA granted RBA a loan of P500,000 to finance its quail egg farming operation as part of the local government’s livelihood project.

The ombudsman said Loot signed the MOA without approval of the Sangguniang Bayan. RBA was not an accredited organization at the time, graft probers said.

Investigation showed the loan remains unpaid. Moralde also failed to submit evidence to prove that the money was used for its intended purpose.

Loot’s negligence allowed Moralde “to take and convert public funds for his own personal use and benefit...to the damage and prejudice of the government,” the ombudsman said.

Bail was recommended at P70,000 each.

Loot is the wife of Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot, a retired police official, who is in President Duterte’s list of politicians involved in the illegal drug trade. The mayor denied the allegation.

Aqua-farming project

The ombudsman also ordered the filing of graft charges against the mayor of Margosatubig town in Zamboanga del Sur over alleged anomalous procurements to implement an aqua-farming project in 2014.

There was probable cause to indict Mayor Roy Encallado along with municipal bids and awards committee chairman Arwin Alpha, BAC members Alex Villarin, Elvira Emia, Andres Limatoc and Merlinda Ambaic; municipal accountant Eien Maning, planning officer Ludivina Salazar and inspection officer Pilar Locop, the ombudsman said in a recent resolution.

Records show the municipal government used a P5-million grant from the Department of Agriculture to procure fish cages, fingerlings and fish feed from Barcelona Spring Farm without public bidding. The company was also paid ahead of the delivery and inspection of the supplies.

The ombudsman said ocular inspection showed that no fish cages were installed or delivery of fingerlings or fish feed.