Ex-Agusan mayor faces graft raps over travel expenses

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman announced the filing of graft charges against a former town mayor of Agusan del Norte over his questionable travel expenses. 

Former Cabadbaran mayor Dale Corvera was found to have charged his personal travel expenses amounting to P362,154.85 against the city’s public funds from May 2011 to June 2014, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said yesterday.   

Ombudsman probers said Corvera used the money to pay the hotel accommodations and meals of his wife during his visits to Cebu City.

Corvera had argued the travels were in connection with his attendance in activities of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP).

The ombudsman said “the public character of the  BSP could not serve as valid justification for charging against public funds the expenses incurred for attending its activities.”

 “All documents are clear enough...that expenses have been spent, and the nature of such expenses,” the anti-graft court said.

“As the chief executive of the city of Cabadbaran, the respondent exercises control over the city’s funds and is accountable for them,” it added.