MANILA, Philippines - A former mayor of Santiago City in Isabela has been charged with graft along with two others in connection with the allegedly anomalous purchase of P1.79 million worth of rifles in 2010.
In a complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on March 21, Amelita Navarro was charged with violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefit to any individual to the detriment of the government.
Aside from Navarro, charged were former general services officer Martha Pascual and department head Orestes Ferrer.
Anti-graft investigators said Navarro conspired with Pascual and Ferrer in procuring 15 rifles worth P1.79 million from Trust Trade.
Prosecution officer Cathy Cardino-Samson said no public bidding was conducted for the project, which is required under RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Samson said the procurement was not authorized by the city council.
The ombudsman set the respondents’ bail at P30,000 each.