Ex-mayor in Ilocos Sur charged before Sandiganbayan over tobacco tax mess

Graft and malversation charges against the former mayor of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur before the Sandiganbayan for his alleged misuse of P400,000 in tobacco excise tax in 2012.

Former Mayor Carlos Racadio Asuncion is facing eight counts of graft in violation of Sections 3(e) and 3(j) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and four counts of malversastion of public funds.

Based on the case information, Asuncion coursed P100,000 each from the town's share of tobacco excise tax on June 15, 2012 to four chapters of Bayanihan ng Kababaihan -- Cabittaogan, Subec, Paratong, and Sinabaan.

The former local chief executive allegedly acted in "evident bad faith, manifest partiality or gross inexcusable negligence" when he chose an organization unqualified to receive financial assistance.

Investigators also found that Bayanihan ng Kababaihan is not an association affiliated with tobacco farmers, thus giving the organization unwarranted benefit.

Furthermore, Asuncion's co-accused also knew fully well that the organization is "not legally entitled to such benefit or advantage in view of its lack of legal personality."

Co-accused in the case are private individuals Mamelfa Amongol, Rosita Ragunjan, Virginia Rafanan, and Genoveva Ragasa.

A P400,000 bail bond, P30,000 for each count of graft and P40,000 for each count of malversation, is recommended for the accused in the case. —NB, GMA News