Camiguin execs face graft raps

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, Philippines – Five former and incumbent officials of Camiguin are facing graft charges for alleged misuse of government funds.

Private citizen Virgilio Arce and Homer Mabale recently filed the complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against former Camiguin governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, his wife and incumbent governor Maria Luisa, provincial treasurer Nida Salon, provincial budget officer Paz Oclarit, provincial accountant Mercedes Oclarit and former Mambajao treasurer Petra Alugar. 

Mabale said Romualdo, Salon and Oclarit conspired to divert P11,122,778 in provincial development funds in 2014 and 2015 to pay catering services, travelling expenses for seminars as well as office supplies, spare parts and communication services, the complaint read. 

Arce said Maria Luisa and Alugar conspired to withdraw municipal development funds, which were utilized for other purposes, depriving the people of Mambajao of livelihood opportunities. 

There was no public bidding for a potable water supply project worth P2,798,794.23 in violation of  Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, Arce’s complaint added.