Ex-Bohol mayor found guilty of graft

CEBU, Philippines - A former mayor of Panglao town in Bohol was sentenced to six to 10 years in jail for refusing to sign a permit sought by a resort operator over a piece of property which he claimed as his, a GMA News report said.

In a 25-page decision, the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division found former Panglao mayor Doloreich Dumaluan guilty of violating Section 3(f) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for refusing to act on the locational permit sought by the Bohol Beach Club (BBC) for its expansion project even if the company had complied with all of the requirements.

During the trial, Dumaluan admitted that he owned the property beside the BBC, which was the subject of the resort operator’s application for a locational clearance.

“Clearly, the accused’s refusal to act on the BBC’s application for a locational clearance was for the purpose of directly obtaining benefit for himself by protecting his claimed interest in the subject property,” the Sandiganbayan’s ruling read.

Section 3(f) of RA 3019 declares it unlawful for any public officer to neglect or refuse, after due demand or without sufficient justification, to act within a reasonable time on any matter pending before him for the purpose of obtaining, directly or indirectly from any person interested in the matter some pecuniary or material benefit or advantage in favor of or discriminating against another interested party. (FREEMAN)