Ex-BFP chief gets 10 years for graft

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan yesterday sentenced a former chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to a maximum of 10 years in jail for his involvement in the “ghost” purchases of P6.5 million worth of vehicle spare parts in 1992.

Mario Tanchangco was also slapped with the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.

Tanchangco’s co-accused were also found guilty of graft charges. They were former fire officers Aristeo Argosino; Leonardo Sabellina Jr.; Hilario Cachero; Romeo Camacho; Veronica Cataluña; and Senior Fire Officer 1 Emmanuel Macabuhay; and Analyn Cuesta-Rubio, owner of the private firm Lyn Cues Enterprises.

Two other respondents, former fire superintendent Alfredo Vite and one Rowena Chan, remain at-large.

After more than 20 years of trial, the Sandiganbayan Third Division found the respondents guilty of graft charges when they allowed the release of P6,504,802 to purchase spare parts which were never delivered to the BFP.