MANILA, Philippines — Three former regional officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol are facing graft charges over alleged anomalous contracts for the lease of vehicles.
The Office of the Ombudsman charged former director Eleno Colinares Jr., district engineer Gilbert Olfindo and treasurer Teresita Demabasa with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Sandiganbayan on April 6.
Lionson Cribe was named a respondent in the case.
Based on the charge sheet prepared by graft investigation and prosecution officer Maricel Quilates, the former DPWH officials entered into several lease contracts with Cribe from March 1999 to April 2002 amounting to P899,178.
Graft probers said the contracts were not authorized by the DPWH and had no budget appropriation.
The ombudsman recommended bail of P30,000 each.