Ex-Cebu vice governor, 8 others face graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - Former Cebu vice governor John Osmeña Jr. and eight others are now facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly misusing some P5 million in public funds 10 years ago.

Those charged included provincial board member Victor Maambong, provincial accountant Marieto Yppil, and Willie Mulla.

Also indicted were private respondents Milagros Herrera, Fe Tan, Nancy Sia, Veronica Caceres, and Teodora Limcangco.

The case against them stemmed from allegedly illegal disbursements to a non-existent foundation on Oct. 21, 2002.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Blesilda Ouano said Osmeña and the other respondents allegedly manipulated procedures to cause the “hasty accreditation” of the Perdido Lex Foundation Inc., to which P5 million from the provincial government’s coffers was given supposedly for educational programs for the marginalized youth.

“In truth, no such programs existed, the foundation itself being (non-existent), thereby causing undue injury to the provincial government of Cebu,” read the graft charge filed before the Sandiganbayan.