Ex-DOE exec charged with estafa

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman filed estafa charges before the Sandiganbayan yesterday against a former official of the Department of Energy (DOE) for allegedly soliciting money from a private firm in exchange for the grant of a P50-million government contract, which did not materialize.

Former DOE assistant secretary Matanog Mapandi was indicted for allegedly extorting P6.5 million from CHA Construction in connection with a solar street lighting project in Magarao, Camarines Sur.

The ombudsman ordered Mapandi’s dismissal from government service last year.