Sandigan orders Antique governor arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Saying it has found probable cause to hold her on trial for graft, the Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao.

The charges stemmed from Cadiao’s alleged illegal reassignment of a provincial government employee and her refusal to pay his salaries and benefits.

The arrest warrant was dated June 6 and signed by Sandiganbayan Seventh Division chairperson Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta.

“You are hereby commanded to arrest Rhodora J. Cadiao...who stands charged of the above-stated crime, and bring said accused before this court to be dealt with as the law and rules of court direct,” the arrest warrant, addressed to the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation, read.

The seventh division said it found probable cause to put Cadiao on trial for violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The provision prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to a private party or from causing any party, including the government, damage or undue injury.

Bail was set at P90,000.

Cadiao has yet to post bail as of last night, according to the clerk of court of the seventh division.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 30, the case stemmed from Cadiao’s alleged refusal without valid justification to pay the salaries, representation and travel allowance (RATA) and other benefts of Antonio dela Vega from 2016 to 2018, totaling P1.665 million.

The unpaid amount supposedly represented Dela Vega’s salaries and other benefits as head of the Provincial General Services Office.

Cadiao allegedly illegally transferred Dela Vega to the Culasi satellite office.

The ombudsman said Cadiao caused damage and prejudice to Dela Vega when she refused to pay his salaries and benefits despite a Civil Service Commission (CSC) decision invalidating his reassignment.

The CSC also ordered the payment of Dela Vega’s salaries, RATA and other benefits corresponding to the rate of his original post.