Zamboanga del Sur mayor, 9 others charged for graft over P9.45-M grader

The mayor of Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur and nine others have been charged with graft at the Sandiganbayan over the allegedly anomalous purchase of a P9.45-million motor grader.

A charge sheet signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on October 11 showed that Mayor Francisvic Sudaria Villamero would face one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Other accused named in the case include then-Bids and Awards Committee members Roberto Mislos Sayson, Loreto Lacierda Penaranda, Rogelim Cabrales, Noe Cabrido Gozalo, Ricardo Tumpag Solis, Wildreo Basic David, Jovito Sibonga Ondiano, and Solomon Eva Donor.

IVAN CARR Industrial Supply and Construction Inc. president Cesario Advincula Jr. is the lone private individual charged.

GMA News Online is still reaching out to Villamero's camp for comment.

In May 2011, Villamero and the accused BAC members allegedly took advantage of their official positions in granting unwarranted benefits to Advincula and his company for the purchase of one Chenggong MG1320C Motor Grader worth P9.45 million.

The Ombudsman said the procurement plan had no advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation and lacked an invitation to bid posted in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System website.

The reference to a brand name "Chenggong" in the purchase request and the payment to IVAN CARR despite its failure to comply with requirements also violated the Government Procurement Reform Act.

A bail bond of P30,000 has been recommended for each accused in the case. —NB, GMA News