Ex-Leyte water execs get 6 years for graft

MANILA, Philippines - Two former officials of a water agency in Leyte were sentenced to serve six years in prison for arranging for a salary increase without the proper authority.

The Sandiganbayan convicted Ranulfo Feliciano and Cesar Aquitana, former general manager and vice chairman of Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD), respectively, for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Aside from imprisonment, the two were disqualified from holding public office.

In a decision dated Jan. 27, Associate Justice Oscar Herrera Jr. said the two officials conspired and showed partiality when they approved a resolution increasing Feliciano’s salary in 1998.

Records showed that from P18,749, Feliciano’s salary was increased to P57,146.

The Sandiganbayan said the two accused had no authority to increase Feliciano’s salary since the water agency was a government-owned corporation under the Civil Service Commission.

The anti-graft court also found Feliciano guilty of malversation, and for this, meted him 10 years’ imprisonment.

The court ordered Feliciano to pay P506,246, representing the total salary and allowances he received as general manager from January to Sept. 26, 1998.

It said Feliciano was not entitled to receive the amount as he only assumed the position on Sept. 27, 1998.