Plunder, graft raps filed vs Chavit, others; Singson denies

A group on Monday filed plunder and graft complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman against former Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis "Chavit" Singson and 15 others.

In filing the plunder complaint, Warriors Ti Narvacan Inc, represented by Atty Estelita Cordero, said Singson, Vice Mayor Pablito Sanidad Sr., Mayor Edna Sanidad, members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Narvacan, municipal assessor Arlene Debina, and Raymond Ang of Western Textile Mills allegedly conspired to defraud the Municipality of Narvacan.

It said the local government officials approved and executed the purchase of 99,974-square meter property from Ang for P149.96 million when its actual value was only P49.987 million based in zonal valuation.

"The alleged overpricing of nearly P100 million constitutes ill-gotten wealth under Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder Law)," the complainant said.

It said "Singson acted as the main plunderer, initiating and negotiating the purchase, while the Sangguniang Bayan members, assessor, and Ang participated as co-conspirators. The LGUs repeated failure to submit financial statements from 2019 to 2022 allegedly sealed the irregularity.”

“The complainant seeks the filing of plunder charges, issuance of a subpoena duces tecum to compel production of relevant documents, preventive suspension of incumbent Mayor Edna Sanidad, a lifestyle check of the respondents, and restitution or payment of P99,974,000.00 representing the overprice, in addition to administrative penalties and perpetual disqualification from public office,” the complaint added.

The complainant said the subject property formerly owned by Western Textile Mills was originally donated by private individuals to the National Development Company (NDC) for industrial and economic development purposes.

The purchased property, it said, did not redound to the benefit of the original donors and contrary to Deed of Donation and Resolution No. 25-SS which is the legal cover for expropriation proceedings over the said property.

“He (Singson) instead proceeded with a sale, thereby depriving the original donors of the opportunity to recover the donated property-an option that could have been available had expropriation been properly pursued,” the complainant said.

Denial

Sought for comment, Singson dismissed the complaints as another diversionary tactic by an attack dog as he expressed belief that someone is orchestrating it.

"Sa palagay ko may nagpapaandar na sa kanya, file agad sa Ombudsman, ikukulong 'to. Kung totoo yan I'm ready to go to jail. They are taking advantage, may nagpopondo na naman dito na malaki," he said in an interview with GMA Integrated News.

(I think someone is using them, they filed it with the Ombudsman thinking I could get jailed. If their accusations are true I'm ready to go to jail. They are taking advantage, someone big is funding them.)

Asked who could be financing the complainant, Singson said he does not want to say as it would just be denied.

He said he would just answer the charges and would file counter charges

He also said that he lost money when he gave the land to the local government.

"Instead na kumita ako, nalugi pa ako diyan. Ako pa ang nalugi, ako pa ang kinocomplain (Instead of getting profit, I lost money because of that. I am the one who lost money and now I am a subject of a complaint)," he said.

Graft complaint

In a separate complaint, the group also accused Chavit; Robert Dean Barbers, former general manager/chief executive office of Philippine Tourism Authority;

Luzviminda Ramos, manager of Narvacan Tourism Lodge and caretaker of the area locally known as "Santorini;" and Rosemarie Jornacion, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Ilocos Sur of graft.

It said the respondent illegally occupied and privatized the foreshore area in Sulvec, Narvacan, known as Santorini, by constructing resort structures without permits or environment clearance.

The group questioned the 2008 Deed of Sale executed by Barbers transfering the land to Ramos' company without a presidential approval.

"The acts allegedly cause undue injury to the government, violated environmental laws, and showed abuse of authority and conspiracy among the respondents," it said.

The complainant sought the filing of charges against the respondents, nullification of the sale, sanctions against Jornacion, and demolition of the structures to restore public access to the foreshore.

GMA News Online is trying to reach out to the other individuals mentioned in the complaint and will publish their respective comments once available. —AOL, GMA Integrated News