Tabogon mayor sued for graft

CEBU, Philippines —  Tabogon town Mayor Zigfred Duterte is facing criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas for alleged graft and corrupt practices.

Regie Ornopia, Duterte’s former personal driver, accused the mayor of using government funds to pay for his salaries despite working in his private business.

“Pasabot nako ani niya, bisan pa nga ang nag-sweldo nako kay ang munisipyo sa Tabogon, Cebu Province, ako trabaho kay ang pag-drive sa iyang mga anak gikan sa ilang balay sa Lamac, Consolacion, Cebu Province padung sa eskwelahan sa mga bata,” read Ornopia’s affidavit.

According to Ornopia, he started working as Duterte’s personal driver in 2013 until he was transferred as dump truck driver at the mayor’s quarry and hauling business a year later but continued to be in the municipal government’s payroll.

He also alleged that the mayor used his office to operate at least four quarry sites without securing the necessary permit and allow his private dump trucks to withdraw gasoline from the gas depot contracted by the municipal government.

“Kanang gasoline station gikontrata na sa munisipyo on a credit basis ug ang mga krudo nga gitubil sa dump trucks kay gi-charge na sa munisipyo ug ang gas voucher ana gisubmitir naa gibutang ug gigamit lang ang plate number sa mga karaan nga dump trucks sa munisipyo nga wala na magdagan. Sa ato pa, on record, ang krudo gitubil sa dump truck sa munisipyo pero ang tinuod kay ang gitubilan ang dump truck nga personal gipanag-iya ni Mayor Duterte,” part of Ornopia’s statement reads.

Politically motivated

Duterte dismissed Ornopia’s complaint as “politically motivated.”

“This is politically motivated. Di na tinuod tanan niyang pamasangil nako,” Duterte told The Freeman.

Duterte questioned why it took Ornopia five years to file a complaint. The mayor said the timing is obvious because it came a month after he declared that he is running for vice mayor in the upcoming elections.

Duterte, fourth degree cousin of President Rodrigo Duterte, said his wife, Gloria, will run for mayor.

The mayor said it is not possible for private vehicles to withdraw fuel from the government depot because each transaction is being recorded for audit purposes.

 “Siyam na man ko ka tuig nga mayor sa Tabogon, wa man gyud ko gi call out sa COA about ana. Laliman ka lang og tinuod na iyang gisulti, di kaha ma bankrupt ang munisipyo ana,” the mayor said. — Le Phyllis F. Antojado, FPL (FREEMAN)