Ex-mayor faces raps over unremitted taxes

MANILA, Philippines - A former mayor and treasurer of a town in Samar are facing charges before the Sandiganbayan for failing to remit tax collections amounting to P1,272,831.63.

Former San Sebastian mayor Arnold Abalos and municipal treasurer Viriginia Uy were recently indicted for graft and malversation of public funds.

Ombudsman assistant special prosecutor Gidget Rose Duque said the respondents failed to remit taxes collected in 2008 and 2009 despite repeated demands.

Duque said Abalos and Uy were deemed to have conspired in “taking or misappropriating” the money for their personal benefit.

Bail was set at P70,000 each.

The ombudsman earlier filed 40 counts of violation of the Government Service Insurance System Act against Abalos, Uy and former municipal accountant Pepita Mabini for failing to remit the insurance premiums of municipal employees  from 2008 to 2012 amounting to P6.8 million.