Ex-lawmaker nabbed, posts bail

MANILA, Philippines – Former Occidental Mindoro congressman Jose Villarosa, who had been charged for misusing government funds when he was mayor of San Jose town, has been arrested.

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation in Region 4 said Villarosa was collared at the port of Calapan at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

The former congressman was about to board a roll-on roll-off vessel bound for Batangas when he was nabbed. He was released after posting bail amounting to P432,000.

Villarosa’s arrest was based on the warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division.

Villarosa was accused of misusing P3 million from the share of the municipality of  San Jose from the proceeds of the tobbaco excise tax. He allegedly used the money to purchase vehicles and pay the bus rentals and catering needs of the municipal government.

Villarosa is also facing 10 counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly issuing permits to quarry operators.

He is running for mayor of San Jose again in the May elections.