Convicted ex-Leyte mayor faces new raps

MANILA, Philippines — Former Babatngon, Leyte mayor Charita Chan is facing another criminal case before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged illegal issuance of a permit to hold cockfights.

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

Based on the charge sheet prepared by graft investigation and prosecution officer Cynthia Maturan, Chan issued a permit to operate a cockpit in the municipality to a certain Nicomedes Alde on Aug. 28, 2009.

The ombudsman said Chan granted Alde’s application despite a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution dated Sept. 3, 2008 barring the issuance of a permit to Alde for failing to comply with the requirements provided under a local ordinance. 

Graft probers said Chan acted without authority from the municipal council in violation of Presidential Decree 1802 and a local ordinance.

Bail was recommended at P30,000.

Chan was convicted of graft by the fifth division of the anti-graft court last year. He was sentenced to up to eight years in prison for issuing a permit to the Liga ng mga Barangay to hold cockfights in the town in 2012.

The court said the group is a juridical entity and should not be given a permit to hold cockfights.

Chan is out on bail as her appeal remains pending before the Supreme Court.

The former mayor was acquitted of graft in March over the issuance of a letter to the municipal council requesting the approval of a resolution to allow CSE Builders to extract sand and gravel from the municipality in 2014.

The first division granted Chan’s demurrer to evidence which prayed for the dismissal of the case due to “insufficiency of evidence.”