Lapu-Lapu Engineer's Office employee to face estafa case

CEBU, Philippines - An estafa case will be filed against an employee of the Lapu-Lapu City Engineer's Office in the court after the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas recommended the filing of the Information-charge sheet.

Graft investigator Antonio Yap ruled that because of the failure of Alipio Augusto to file his counter-affidavit to the complaint filed by Zenaida Galoyo in the ombudsman's office, he has basis to elevate the complaint.

"Augusto was given by this office a reasonable period of time within which to file his counter-affidavit, at least, to explain his side of the story but which he did not bother to comply," resolution reads.

Yap added there was legal basis to hold Augusto criminally liable for estafa upon evaluation of the records.

Galoyo said her house located in Mustang, Pusok, Lapu-lapu City was under construction and because of financial constraints she’d asked her friend Neneng Flores to help her with the electrical installation.

Flores then introduced Augusto to her for the installation wherein the latter demanded from her the initial amount of P4,000 for materials and other expenses as payment to Mactan Electric Company (MECO).

Augusto allegedly assured Galoyo that he can finish the installation within 15 days but he failed.

Because of the alleged expenses for the follow-up for the application with the MECO, then again Augusto demanded from Galoyo additional amount of P1,000.

Galoyo said she again gave P17,950 to Augusto to cover the expenses of the preparation of all the documents including notarization for the "facilitation of the road-right-of way"

However, all transactions failed.

Galoyo said she had given Augusto P22,950 in all. (FREEMAN)