Consolacion officials face graft raps

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly giving unwarranted benefits to private individuals, four councilors of Consolacion town filed criminal and administrative complaints against their mayor and several others before the anti-graft office.

In their complaint-affidavit, Nicole Alectis Villo-Escobido, Vito Rolito Villo, Maria Analee Gungob and Iluminado Alin said they discovered certain “acts and omissions” committed by the respondents in violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, grave abuse of authority and discretion and gross ignorance of the law.

Those named respondents were Mayor Teresa Alegado, municipal legal officer Christian Bacus, municipal administrator Crispin Cañeda, municipal assessor Marilou Herrera, municipal engineer and chief of the Office of the Building Official Carlito Maglasang, municipal planning and development coordinator Salome Palang and private individuals Isidro Ike Maglasang and spouses Edgar and Leah Maglasang.

The case stemmed from a Comprehensive Compromise Agreement entered into between Consolacion town and the private individuals on Apr. 25, 2006, “terminating and dismissing” the case filed by the municipality against the latter.

On Dec. 21, 2011, the complainant said Consolacion town, represented by Alegado and assisted by Cañeda and Bacus, entered into a Memorandum of Commitment with the private individuals.

Based on the said memorandum the municipality “will cede, transfer and convey full ownership to the private individuals upon completion of all the legal processes for conversion a certain parcel of land located at barrio Nangka, Consolacion, Cebu, with an area of 7,247 square meters.”

However, the complainants said it was not explained how the parties arrived at a compromise agreement.

On July 13, 2012, the complainants said upon “intensive deliberation and careful analysis” the municipal council denied the ratification of the location chosen and proposed by the couple as shown in the committee report.  The complainants added that the said location chosen by the couple was intended for government purposes as it was meant for the future site for Consolacion Mini Dome and Sports Complex.

Despite the existence of the committee report of the municipal council, the couple still reportedly filed a motion for the execution of judgment.

Instead of filing an opposition to the motion for the execution of judgment, the complainants said Bacus filed a manifestation of non-objection which they branded as highly questionable.

The complainants also alleged that Bacus allowed Herrera to issue “a spurious and fake tax declaration in favor of the couple” although she has no legal authority to issue such a document as the property belongs to the municipality.   (FREEMAN)