Ex-Antique governor Javier faces graft charges

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges against former Antique Governor Exequiel Javier for his alleged misuse of congressional allotment during his tenure as the province's lone district representative.

Assistant Special Prosecutor Jorge Espinal filed one count in violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Sandiganbayan.

Based on the case information, Javier allegedly conspired with Efren Esclavilla, chairman of the board of directors of Greater Antique Development Cooperative (GRAND Coop), for the operation and maintenance of a 40-ton rice mill worth P9.9 million intended for the municipality of Patnongon.

Javier is accused of "acting with evident bad faith, manifest partiality, and/or gross inexcusable negligence" in using his Priority Development Assistance Fund from January 2007 to February 2008 in favor solely of GRAND Coop without any financial consideration and research of the cooperative.

The co-accused of Javier includes former Patnongon Mayor Henry Mondejar and former Vice Mayor Johnny Flores Bacongallo.

Municipal councilors Gemma Cepeda, Thomas Bacaoco, Al Brian Crespo, Felix Gregorio Barrientos, Rene Philip Cayetano, Teopisto Estaris Jr., and Erika Orcasitas are also included in the case.

GMA News Online is contacting Javier's camp for comment as of posting time.

Javier lost his re-election as governor of Antique in the May 2016 elections to then Vice Governor Rhodora Cadiao.

He represented the lone district of Antique from 1987 to 1998, and from 2001 to 2010. —KG, GMA News