Ex-Daet mayor gets 14-year jail term, P1-M fine for graft, malversation

The Sandiganbayan has handed down a 14-year jail term to former Daet, Camarines Norte mayor Tito Sarion for allowing the payment of P1 million to a private contractor for the construction of a public market.

In a 50-page decision promulgated on September 29, the anti-graft's Third Division found Sarion guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds.

Sarion will face a jail term of eight years in the graft case. He is likewise sentenced to six years' imprisonment and a fine of P1 million in the malversation case.

The former local chief executive is also perpetually barred from holding public office.

Furthermore, the Sandiganbayan ordered Sarion to pay a total indemnification of P1 million to the local government of Daet in damages.

"Accused Sarion shall indemnify the Municipality of Daet the amount of P1 million as actual damages, plus interest at the rate of 6 percent per annum to be reckoned from the date of finality of the Decision until its full satisfaction," the decision said.

Based on the case information, Sarion approved the disbursement of the funds in favor of Markbilt Construction in April 2008 as partial payment for contract price escalation without the approval of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) and the determination by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

Graft investigators also accused Sarion, who then had control of the public funds, for violation of the GPPB guidelines when he authorized the payment to Markbilt even if the contractor of the Daet Public Market Phase II was not entitled to the compensation.

The Sandiganbayan said the lack of certifications from two government agencies already prove that Markbilt is not entitled to the payment, but Sarion still approved the disbursement of the funds.

"Instead, he just approved the disbursement voucher blindly relying on the signatures of his subordinates. Clearly, the omissions and actuations of accused Sarion evince gross inexcusable negligence in the performance of his duties," the decision said.

After a careful review of the evidence and witness testimonies, the Sandiganbayan said Sarion was found to be "grossly negligent in approving the disbursement of the P1 million contract price escalation in favor of Markbilt.

"Accused acted with gross inexcusable negligence when he approved the payment for Markbilt's demand for contract price escalation even in the absence ofthe requisite approval of the GPPB and without NEDA's determination of the existence of extraordinary circumstances," it said.

Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez penned the decision, with the concurrence of Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez. — BM, GMA News