Graft cases Chatto, 4 others post bail

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Governor Edgar Chatto, Vice Governor Concepcion Lim and three other defendants of the graft case at the Sandiganbayan, in connection with alleged devaluation of provincial government water and power systems, yesterday posted the recommended P30,000 bail each.

The source said that besides Chatto and Lim, the three other defendants who posted bail were Provincial Board Member Tomas Abapo Jr., and former PB members Felix Uy and Isabelito Tongco, who is now the executive assistant of the governor.

Lawyer Lord Marapao IV, counsel of the defendants, confirmed this to The Freeman, but added that they were not subjected to police “mug shots,” as alleged by the complainants, led by lawyer Victor de la Serna.

Expected to file the bail bond next would be Representative Rene Relampagos (1st district, Bohol) and former provincial legal officer Inocentes Lopez, the source said.

Other respondents to the case were former PB members Arnold Lungay, Eufrasio Mascarinas, Exequiel Madrinan, Francisco Alesna Sr., Severino Caberte, Renato Lim and Lemuel Digal, according to a copy of the Sandiganbayan information, signed by Assistant Special Prosecutor Manuel Soriano Jr.

Also charged as respondents of the case were former provincial planning and development officer Juanito Cambangay (deceased), Lopez and Dennis Villareal, officerof the Construction of Salcon International Incorporated, Salcon Power Corporation Inc., and the consortium of Salcon Philippines Inc. and Salcon Limited.

The complaint stemmed from the alleged under-valuation of the assets of Provincial Public Utilities Departmen’s power and water systems of the provincial government when it was dealt with the Salcon consortia, under the Joint Venture Agreement.

At the time of the JVA with the Salcon firms, Relampagos was the governor of Bohol, Chatto was vice governor, and Concepcion Lim was a PB member.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales signed the criminal charge at the Sandiganbayan, docketed as Criminal Case No. SB 15 CRM 0283 for violation of Section 3 (g) of the Republic Act 3019, as amended, otherwise known as Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Certification of the case, issued on October 3, 2015 in Quezon City, stated: “Based on record a preliminary investigation was conducted in this case and that there is sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that the crime charged was committed and that the accused are probably guilty thereof.” —Ric V. Obedencio (FREEMAN)