Ex-Iloilo governor posts bail for graft

MANILA, Philippines - Former Iloilo governor Niel Tupas Sr. yesterday posted P30,000 bail for his temporary liberty after the Sandiganbayan ordered him and three former officials of the provincial government arrested in connection with a P4-million overpayment for unconsumed electricity.

The Sandiganbayan said the posting of the bail lifted the arrest warrant it issued against Tupas, who personally appeared before the court.

The arrest order against his fellow respondents – accountant Lyd Tupas, assistant department head Sandra Bionat, and general services department chief Ramie Salcedo – remains in effect, and so does the hold departure order.

Tupas’ arraignment was set on Oct. 21.

The charges against the respondents, who were indicted by the Office of the Ombudsman last week, stemmed from the P5.88 million in power fees that the provincial government paid to Green Core Geothermal Inc.

Records showed the provincial government forged a one million kilowatt hour (kwh) supply deal with the private firm.

Investigation showed the actual energy consumed was only 515,000 kwh, but the amount paid by the respondents to the supplier was equivalent to one million kwh.

Instead of P1.88 million, the provincial government paid the company P5.88 million or an overpayment of P4 million.