Iloilo gov faces graft complaint

A businessman has filed a graft complaint against Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. with the Office of the President for awarding a quarrying permit to another company.

In a 11-page sworn affidavit, businessman Raul Rocha accused Tupas of dishonesty, oppression, misconduct in office, gross negligence, dereliction of duty, gross ignorance of the law and abuse of authority.

Rocha said he had applied for a quarrying permit and complied with all the requirements under the law, but that Tupas instead granted the permit to another company owned by a certain Francis Clyde.

Rocha claimed that Clyde was not qualified for a quarrying permit, having allegedly disregarded the requirements under mining laws.

Rocha asked President Arroyo to place Tupas under preventive suspension so he could not influence the witnesses or threaten "the integrity of the records and evidence." — Marichu Villanueva