Town mayor, other officials face graft raps

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -  — Valladolid town Mayor Rommel Yogore and nine other town officials are facing criminal and administrative charges filed by a broadcaster at the Office of the Ombudsman on alleged illegal procurement of about P250,000 worth of materials for the repair of the town’s Rural Health Unit in 2008.

The Ombudsman, last July 7, has ordered Yogore and the other officials to file their counter-affidavits and other evidences that may controvert the complaint filed by broadcaster Larry Concepcion on May 6, 2011.

Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago said that her office has found enough basis to proceed with the preliminary investigation of the case.

Other respondents to the case are Giovanni Robles, chairman of the municipal bids and awards committee (BAC); Joseph Alfonso Manayon, municipal engineer and vice chairman of BAC; Ernesto Genobis, Daisy Galve, and Merlene Magbanua, members of BAC; municipal accountant Cherryl Aguirre; municipal treasurer Lilian Espanola; and Arnaldo Virgo.

Also included as respondent is Junie Nieve, reportedly Yogore’s brother-in-law, owner of JB Nieve Hardware and Construction that supplied the materials for the RHU building repair. – (FREEMAN)