Ex-mayor, 4 others convicted for graft over bakeshop deal

CEBU, Philippines —  The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Aloguinsan, Cebu mayor Augustus Caesar Moreno for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over an alleged irregular purchase of food supplies from a bakeshop for over P200,000.

The bakeshop, AVG Bakeshop, happened to be owned by Moreno’s wife, Cynthia, who is also a former mayor of the town.

The municipal government under the leadership of Augustus Caesar allegedly continued to buy food supplies from the same bakery using the LGU funds.

“Clearly, accused Augustus Moreno actually participated or intervened in his official capacity in connection with his interest in the transactions of the municipality of Aloguinsan with AVG Bakeshop,” read the 38-page decision of the anti-graft court penned by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno.

“His participation is evident throughout the procurement process, from initiating the procurement of food supplies to signing the disbursement vouchers and other procurement documents, thereby showing his actual intervention to the transactions. As Municipal Mayor and Head of Procuring Entity, his participation was indispensable considering that the award of contracts and payment and payment to AVG Bakeshop could not have been made without his signature and approval,” it added.

Also convicted was Evangeline Manigos, who was then a member of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

Caesar and Manigos were sentenced to suffer the penalty of 6 to 20 years of jail term and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Cynthia, who was then the vice mayor when the transaction happened, along with other BAC members — Pepito Manguilimotan, Novela Villegas, Marilyn Flordeliza and Gertrudes Ababon — were also ordered arrested by the court.

“As they remain at-large, the cases against them are hereby ordered archived, the same to be revived upon their arrest. Let the appropriate warrants of arrest be issued against the said accused,” read the decision.

The decision was issued last February 22, 2022.  — JMD (FREEMAN)