Former Bohol mayor facing graft charges arrested

A former mayor of Corella town in Bohol province facing charges of graft was arrested in a police operation Thursday morning.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group served an arrest warrant on former Corella mayor Vito Rapal, GMA Cebu's Chona Carreon reported.

Rapal, 55, is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan's Fourth Division for three counts of violating the anti-graft and corrupt practices act.

He also faces charges for alleged malversation of public funds, and failure to render accounts.

But Rapal, in a telephone interview, said the charges against him were politically motivated.

The court has set his bail at P170,000.

Rafal served as mayor of Corella from 2001 to 2010.

A report on the Manila Bulletin said the charges against Rapal stemmed from his alleged failure to account for more than P1 million in cash advances.

The Ombudsman also filed another count of graft and one count of estafa against Rapal for failing to remit P92,239.70 to the local government from 2008 to 2009.  — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News