Ex-Samar mayor faces prison for unpaid salaries, ordered to pay P988K

The Sandiganbayan has found former Hinabangan, Samar mayor Alejandro Abarratigue guilty of graft over his alleged refusal to pay the salaries of municipal employees and for re-assigning them to far-flung barangays from 2009 to 2010.

In its 52-page decision, the First Division convicted Abarratigue of five counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act sentenced him to six to 10 years' imprisonment.

The Sandiganbayan also perpetually disqualified Abarratigue, who lost his re-election bid in the May 2019 midterm elections, from holding public office. He is likewise ordered to return P988,291.91 to the affected employees, plus a six-percent interest per annum from the finality of the decision.

Abarratigue was accused of failing to pay the salaries of private complainants Lydia Tono, Fe Grande, Renato Abaigar, Jocelyn Ventura and Miguel Aban, Jr. totaling P556,196.

The complainants said Abarratigue "unreasonably" assigned them to a far-flung sub-office in Barangay Bagacay and caused them additional financial burden due to its location.

They also said Abarratigue dropped them from the roll of employees after he failed to sign their daily time records.

The Sandiganbayan concluded that the former local chief executive used his position to harass the employees. It said the employees failed to sign their attendance since the person assigned by Abarratigue to check their daily time records was always absent.

“Taken together, the acts of accused Abarratigue were committed to harass private complainants and have brought mental and financial hardship upon them. It is beyond reasonable doubt that such acts constitute evident bad faith,” the decision penned by Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg said.

The Sandiganbayan also rebuked Arratigue's defense that the re-assignment was essential as the municipal council had monthly sessions in the sub-office, when in fact the office facility lacked the basic necessities.

However, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Abarratigue of four counts of graft due to the failure of the prosecution to prove he committed bad faith and gross negligence in the re-assignment of Jovita Mabansag, Maribeth Abina, Marita Abarrcoso, and Gloria Tacad.

He, nonetheless, is still liable to return their unpaid salaries of P435,095, plus six percent interest. — BM, GMA News