Ex-mayor to be charged over illegal permit

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombusman has ordered the filing of graft charges against a former mayor of Naga City in Cebu.

Valdemar Chiong was accused of issuing a mayor’s permit to Petronas Energy Philippines, a wholesaler of liquefied petroleum gas, in 2014 despite its failure to present a fire safety inspection certificate.

The ombudsman said Chong was also found guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty and ordered dismissed and perpetually disqualified from holding public office. Since Chong is no longer in office, he was ordered to pay a fine equivalent to his salary for one year.

The ombudsman said Chiong violated Section 5 (g) of Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code.

The law states that no occupancy, business or permit to operate shall be issued without a fire safety inspection certificate from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Chiong gave unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference when he issued the permit to Petronas, the court said.

In his defense, Chiong said he only issued a conditional permit.

However, the court said a conditional business permit can be issued only if there are no clearances yet from the Social Security System, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG, the court said.