Ex-Zamboanga Sur mayor faces graft charges for appointing cousin

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft charges against a former mayor of Zamboanga del Sur for appointing a relative to a position in the municipal government.

Allan Damas, now vice mayor of Kumalarang town, will be indicted for appointing his first cousin Nellie Toledo as municipal treasurer in 2007.

The ombudsman said Damas “gave unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference” to Toledo in violation of Section 79 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

The law prohibits the appointment in government of any person within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity to the appointing or recommending authority.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Damas’ claim that he could not recall the contents of the certification he issued in favor of Toledo was a “lame excuse.”

“It only shows his gross disregard of a fundamental legal requirement in recommendations or appointments to the career service of the local government ...his cavalier attitude and appreciation of the basic tenet that underlies the prohibition,” the ombudsman said.