Convicted, dismissed Cebu mayors face new raps

MANILA, Philippines — A couple who served as mayor of Aloguinsan town in Cebu are facing new graft charges before the Sandiganbayan.

Augustus Caesar Moreno and his wife Cynthia were recently charged with two counts of graft over the municipal government’s purchase of food supplies from a bakeshop owned by their family.

Cynthia was also indicted for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Office of the Ombudsman said the municipal government procured food supplies from AVG Bakeshop, which is registered under Cynthia’s name, amounting to P78,375 from April to July 2010.

Graft probers said Augustus, who succeeded Cynthia in the May 2010 elections, continued the purchase of food supplies from AVG Bakeshop from August to December 2010 amounting to P204,350.

The ombudsman said the couple conspired with former bids and awards committee (BAC) officials and members in giving unwarranted benefit, advantage and preference to AVG Bakeshop, noting that the purchases were done without public bidding.

The ombudsman recommended bail of P50,000 for Cynthia and P40,000 for Augustus.

A bail of P60,000 was recommended for former BAC committee chairman Pepito Maguilimotan, BAC vice chairman Nonela Villegas and BAC members Marilyn Flordeliza, Gertrudes Ababon and Evangeline Manigos who were named respondents in the cases.

Augustus was reelected in May 2016, but resigned last February before the ombudsman’s dismissal order in connection with the cases he is facing was served.

Cynthia has a standing warrant of arrest after she was convicted of graft over the purchase of construction materials amounting to P1 million in 2007.