Ombudsman finds ex-Western Samar mayor guilty of grave misconduct

The Office of the Ombudsman has found former Hinabangan, Western Samar mayor Alejandro Abarratigue guilty of grave misconduct for the purchase of land intended for the expansion of the town's public cemetery in 2008.

Abarratigue will also face charges for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act at the Sandiganbayan.

Abarratigue's co-accused in the case were former municipal Treasurer Raul Tapia and Administrative Officer II Analiza Bagro.

The former mayor and his co-accused have been perpetually disqualified from holding office. They are also barred from taking civil service examinations and their retirement benefits have been ordered forfeited.

The respondents were also fined an equivalent of their salaries for one year.

The case stemmed from the findings of Ombudsman investigators that Abarratigue and his co-accused irregularly approved and facilitated the payment of P500,000 for the lot.

Investigations further found that the purchase was not authorized by the Sangguniang Bayan.

"(The) purchase of lot by respondents was anomalous. It was done without the imprimatur of the SB of Hinabangan, Samar," the Ombudsman resolution said.

"The local chief executive is precluded from entering into contract in behalf of the local government unit without securing prior authorization," it added. —ALG, GMA News