Southern Leyte mayor faces graft over ‘irregular’ cash advances

The mayor of San Francisco town in Southern Leyte has been charged with graft before the Sandiganbayan over his alleged irregular disbursement of cash advances worth more than P390,000 in 2012.

Based on the charge sheet filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, Mayor Samson Gamutan Jr. will face four counts for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The case stemmed when Samson allegedly allowed the release of three disbursement vouchers for the cash advance of his private secretary, Jesus Gamutan, worth a total of P393,540.17.

Aside from Samson, then-municipal accountant Resurreccion Tangso and municipal treasurer Rosenda Bansig will also face the same charges.

The four respondents allegedly conspired with one another to give the amount "despite the fact that Jesus was not entitled to receive such cash advance."

The Ombudsman said the cash advance was in violation of Commission on Audit rules since Jesus was a "non-bonded officer" with the local government.

A bail bond of P120,000 has been recommended for each respondent. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News