Carmen mayor, treasurer told: Answer graft, corruption charges

CEBU, Philippines —  The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Mayor Martin Gerard Villamor and town treasurer Merla Capuno of Carmen, Cebu to answer the graft charges against them over the alleged misuse of P6 million fund intended for the acquisition of road right of way of a water project. 

The Ombudsman has directed the respondents to submit their counter-affidavits on the charges of dishonesty, grave misconduct and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. 

The case stemmed from the P6 million allocated by the municipal government for the acquisition of road right of way after signing an agreement with the Cebu Manila Water Development (CMWD) for the bulk water supply from Cantumog-Luyang River.

The money was allegedly realigned to something else other than its intended purpose.

According to the information received by the anti-graft body, the respondents used the money to buy a Hi-Ace van, sound system, materials for the water system, and even for a cultural show.

The Ombudsman said that the "expenses cannot be reasonably classified as payment for road right of way, which is the stated purpose for which the amount of P6 million was given to the municipality”.

The anti-graft office also cited that withdrawals from the fund were done without the corresponding disbursement vouchers, liquidation reports and other supporting documents and were supported only by a piece of paper containing the purpose of the disbursement with the signature of the mayor.

Villamor and Capuno used a sizeable portion of the fund for other purposes, depriving the municipal government of a considerable amount it could have used to acquire road right of way. — FPL (FREEMAN)