Dumaguete exec charged over agri project

MANILA, Philippines — A former agriculturist of Dumaguete City is facing graft charges for allegedly favoring his wife and two office staff members in connection with the city government's agricultural livelihood project.

Based on the charge sheet recently filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan, Alfredo Delos Santos, the former officer-in-charge department head of the City Agriculture Office, had chosen his wife Cleta his two office staff members Emelyn Gepana and Felicitas Barba as beneficiaries of the city government's “Grow Now, Pay Later” swine fattening project in July 2004.

The ombudsman said Delos Santos, “with evident bad faith and manifest partiality,” had personally chosen his wife and his office staff members as beneficiaries of the project, despite that his office was the one directly implementing it.

The ombudsman said Delos Santos' act had caused prejudice to other residents who were qualified and deserving of the project.

The ombudsman specifically charged Delos Santos with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public official from giving unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to a private party or from causing any party, including the government, undue injury.

The charge sheet was prepared by assistant special prosecutor Jorge Espinal and was approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

The ombudsman recommended P30,000 bail bond in exchange for Delos Santos' provisional liberty.

Set to testify against Delos Santos in court are several incumbent city officials including human resource officer Ruperto Tenorio Jr., accountant Doreen Paulina Cordova, budget officer Antonieta General, treasurer Cristina Merced, agriculturist William Ablong and Local Civil Registrar Office head Ruperta Baguasan.