CEBU, Philippines — Tuburan, Cebu Mayor Democrito Diamante is facing a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for allegedly using the town’s heavy equipment for personal use.
Roy Pio Yap, 57, a resident of Barangay 3, Tuburan, asked the anti-graft body to investigate the mayor for violating Republic Act 3019 or The Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act.
"Sukad pa sa miaging tuig nabantayan nako nga gigamit ang dump trucks ug heavy equipment nga gipanag-iya sa lungsod arun sa pag-abuno sa yuta nga gipanag-iya ni Mayor Diamante sa Barangay Poblacion 1," read the complaint.
Yap, a former member of the Philippine Navy for almost 38 years, dismissed insinuations that the complaint is politically-motivated.
Among the mandates of the Navy, he said, is to fight corruption, adding that he is just fulfilling such mandate.
In a phone interview, Diamante belied the allegation hurled against him.
He, however, refused to issue further statement.
"Di lang ko mo komentaryo ana kay di man gyud na tinuod na iyang alegasyon," he said, adding that he will issue a statement once he receives a copy of the complaint.
The mayor is currently on a vacation leave. He took a leave of absence last February. —/KBQ (FREEMAN)