The Office of the Ombudsman has affirmed the filing of graft charges against a former mayor and members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte. In a nine-page Resolution, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict ex-Mayor Norbideiri Edding, SB members Norbryan Edding, Malik Tutuan, Nasser Mahamod, Absar Caril, Jaapal Dodong, Abbas Samson, and Misal Hawari for violation of Section 3(a) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).
The charge stemmed from the act of the respondents in authorizing Mayor Edding to sign checks and approve disbursement vouchers and payrolls. Records show that in September 2010, SB member Norbryan Edding, the mayor’s brother, authored a Resolution authorizing only the mayor to sign checks for the municipality.
”Since the provisions of the LGC plainly speak of the authority of the Vice Mayor to (1) sign all warrants drawn on the municipal treasury for all expenditures appropriated for the operation of the SB, and (2) approve vouchers and payrolls relative to funds over which the Vice Mayor has administrative control, this authority cannot be taken away from the Vice Mayor and be conferred upon the Municipal Mayor by a mere report or resolution of the SB,” the Resolution elucidated.
Section 3(a) of R.A. No. 3019 prohibits a public official/employee from persuading, inducing, or influencing another public officer to perform an act which violates rules and regulations duly promulgated by a competent authority, or from doing an offense connected with his official duties, or allow himself to be persuaded, induced, or influenced to commit such violation or offense. ###