Former Imus mayor gets 10 years for graft

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan on Thursday found a former municipal mayor in Cavite province guilty of graft for the anomalous purchase of a property nine years ago. Oscar Jaro, former mayor of Imus town, was sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment for authorizing the disbursement of some P8.98 million for a 2.36-hectare property without the Sangguniang Bayan's approval in 2000. In a 38-page decision, the Sandiganbayan First Division said Jaro “acted in evident bad faith" when he authorized the purchase of the property reportedly intended for a garbage dumpsite. “By paying for subject property using municipal funds without proper documentation and without any authority given by the Sangguniang Bayan, Jaro arrogated the power of the (municipal council) to establish a dumpsite," the court said. The Sandiganbayan however acquitted the other defendants, including former municipal accountant Roselie A. Pangilinan and previous property owners Antonio and Lucy Venadas, due to lack of evidence. In its ruling penned by Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the Sandiganbayan pointed out that the Sangguniang Bayan had twice voted down Jaro’s attempt to use the property as dumpsite on the ground of unsuitability. The Sangguniang Bayan is empowered under the Local Government Code to provide for an “efficient and effective system of garbage collection and disposal." The court also noted an attempt by the defendant to cover up the crime by making it appear that the property was intended for a slaughterhouse, which was indicated in the check issued as payment for the property. “It is to be noted however that there was a correction made on this check using a correction tape … and the word ‘slaughterhouse’ was typed over this area. I would appear that the correction tape covered the words ‘dumpsite of’," the Sandiganbayan said. - GMANews.TV