Ex-Camarines Sur mayor charged over attempt to remove Sagip Kalikasan
The former Caramoan, Camarines Sur mayor is facing criminal charges for allegedly falsifying two resolutions which sought the removal of an environmental task force in the municipality. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Former Caramoan, Camarines Sur mayor Constantino Cordial Jr. is facing criminal charges for allegedly falsifying two resolutions which sought the removal of an environmental task force in the municipality.
Cordial was charged before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan with two counts of falsification of public documents under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code.
Named as his co-accused in the cases were former vice mayor Irene Breis and former municipal council secretary Danilo Belleza.
Based on the information of the cases filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on October 3, the three respondents conspired in falsifying Resolution No. 48 Series of 2014 and Resolution No. 48-A.
In the two alleged falsified resolutions, the municipal council was “earnestly requesting” then President Benigno Aquino III and then Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, respectively, to order the “immediate removal of the Task Force Sagip Kalikasan in the entire municipality of Caramoan, Province of Camarines Sur."
Ombudsman's graft investigation and prosecution officer Ismaela Boco said Cordial, Breis and Belleza made it appear that the two resolutions were unanimously approved by all the members of the Sangguniang Bayan or municipal council, “when in truth and in fact," three councilors were not present during the deliberations and voting held on March 24, 2014.
The ombudsman said the respondents made it appear that then councilors Eduardo Bonita, Lydia Obias and Francis Benemerito participated in the deliberations and voting on the resolutions, when “they did not so."
Bonita and Obias as well as another councilor, Romeo Marto, are set to testify against Cordial in court
The ombudsman recommended to the Sandiganbayan to set the respondents' bail bond at P48,000 each.
Cordial together with 15 other individuals, including a senior regional official of the National Bureau of Investigation are facing charges before the Catanduanes Provincial Prosecution Office in connection with their alleged involvement in the operation of a mega shabu laboratory uncovered by the Philippine National Police in Virac in November last year.
Cordial's wife, Marlyn, is the incumbent mayor of Caramoan.
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