The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges against incumbent mayor Ronald Allan Cesante of Dalaguete, Cebu for approving a contract of lease over four commercial units of the municipality in favor of his wife.
In a seven-page Order, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed the finding of probable cause to indict Cesante for violation of Section 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) and Article 216 (Possession of Prohibited Interest by a Public Officer) of the Revised Penal Code. The Ombudsman junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Cesante for lack of merit.
Investigation showed that Cesante’s wife had been using the commercial space since 2004 without any contract or payment. Later in 2007, Cesante signed the lease contracts in favor of his wife without approval from the Sangguniang Bayan.
Section 3(h) of R.A. No. 3019 bars government officials from having a direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity. On the other hand, Article 216 provides for the penalty for such corrupt practice.###