Ex-Cavite mayor gets 10 years for graft

MANILA, Philippines — A former mayor of Indang, Cavite has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for allowing a private corporation to proceed with a water treatment project without the neccesary  permits from the municipal government.

In a 17-page decision promulgated on April 26 and obtained by reporters yesterday, the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division said Bienvenido Dimero was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Dimero was also perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

In filing the case in 2016, the Office of the Ombudsman said the former mayor did not stop PTK2 H2O Corp. from building a filtration plant in Ikloy River for a water supply project in 2012.

“Evidence shows that Dimero has known all along that the corporation conducted activities relating to the water supply project without... obtaining the necessary permits, license and... clearance,” the ruling read.

“His claim that he... requested the Sangguniang Bayan to pass a resolution... so that the corporation would stop its activities...  dispensing with his issuance of a separate cease and desist order, appears dubious and a feeble attempt to pass the buck, so to speak,” the court said.

Dimero did not act on complaints of residents clamoring for a stop of PTK2 H2O’s operations, it added.

“His inaction... compelled affected residents to seek the help of the governor of Cavite, who in turn, issued Executive Order 5... that directed the corporation to cease... from continuing its activities for the... project,” the fourth division said. 

The court said Dimero manifested his partiality to PTK2 H20 when he wrote a letter to the National Water Resources Board certifying that the municipal government authorized the company to utilize or tap water resources in the area.

The certification was issued without authority from the municipal council in violation of the Local Government Code, the Sandiganbayan said.