MANILA, Philippines - A former municipal mayor in Romblon has been charged with graft for illegally appointing a losing candidate for councilor to be his secretary in 2013.
Lemuel Cipriano of Concepcion town was charged with violation of Article 244 of the Revised Penal Code for appointing Diosdado Atillano as administrative officer in August of the same year.
In a complaint filed recently with the Sandiganbayan, the Office of the Ombudsman said Cipriano took advantage of his position when he appointed Atillano.
Prosecution officer Maricel Oquendo said Cipriano knew that Atillano was not eligible for appointment as the one-year ban on appointing losing electoral candidates to government posts was yet to lapse.
Oquendo said Cipriano violated Section 94 of the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandates the ban.
The ombudsman said there was sufficient ground to indict Cipriano.