Ex-Leyte town mayor charged with graft

MANILA, Philippines — The former mayor of Babatngon, Leyte is facing graft charges over alleged illegal quarrying.

Charita Chan was recently charged with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Christopher Estrella, owner of CSE Builders, was included in the charge sheet.

The ombudsman said Chan gave “unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference” to Estrella when she requested the Sangguniang Bayan to pass a resolution approving the application of CSE to extract sand and gravel in Salug Dongon river.

Based on the charge sheets prepared by assistant special prosecutor Jorge Espinal, CSE conducted quarrying without a permit from the governor’s office and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Chan allowed the illegal extraction… and refused to heed the petition of residents of affected barangays and the committee report of the Sangguniang Bayan (recommending) to stop the sand and gravel operation of CSE, causing undue injury to the government and to the affected residents,” the ombudsman resolution read.

The ombudsman recommended bail of P30,000 each.