‘Anomalous’ P6M water project? Ombuds indicts former Carigara, Leyte mayor

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge former Mayor Anlie Apostol of Carigara town in Leyte, with one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) in connection with the 2010 rehabilitation of the small water impounding system project.

Investigators from the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office in Region 8 found that in 2010, the Carigara local government, under Apostol, received P6 million to fund the project, which involved the repair of the small water impounding system at Barangays Binibihan, San Isidro, and Paglaum.

Records showed that a total of P5,417,852.82 was paid to New Leyte Ever Hardware Company for construction materials and supplies.

Investigators, however, found that the project turned out to be a “ghost project” as there was no actual delivery of supplies for the project.

According to municipal supply officer Crescente Precia, the then mayor Apostol “commanded him to sign the acceptance and inspection report (AIR)” despite non-delivery of materials.

“[Apostol’s] directive to Precia to make it appear that complete delivery had already been effected had paved the way for the disbursement of public funds and payment to the supplier even without actual delivery of the procured materials/supplies. By releasing the amount of P5,417,852.82 to New Leyte Ever Hardware sans delivery of the materials/supplies procured, respondent undoubtedly caused undue injury to the municipality of Carigara,” stated the Ombudsman resolution.

In the related administrative case, Apostol was also found guilty of grave misconduct and was ordered dismissed from the service with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and bar from taking the civil service examinations.

Furthermore, Precia himself was found guilty of simple misconduct and was ordered suspended for three months.

The Ombudsman resolution added that, in case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to Apostol’s salary for one year, and in Precia’s case, his salary for three months.

Anlie Apostol, who also once served also a Leyte Provincial Board member, is the daughter of former Leyte 2nd district congressman Sergio, and former congresswoman and now PB Member Ebbie.

Meanwhile, Anlie is deemed still a fugitive of the law for murder charges in the alleged killing of her house helper in 2012. Her family however refused to comment about this case considering that it is now in the hands of court authorities. (FREEMAN)