Ex-NegOcc mayor faces graft raps for lying in SALN

Office of the Ombudsman (Photo: Office of the Ombudsman Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge before the Sandiganbayan a former Negros Occidental town mayor for failing to disclose two business interests in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2007 to 2010.

The Ombudsman indicted former Moises Padilla Mayor Francisco Nazareno for four counts of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” and two counts of violation of Section 3(h) of RA 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”.

Records show that JF Merchandise is registered under Nazareno’s name, while Juco Enterprises is registered under his wife’s name.

Likewise, the Ombudsman found that during his incumbency, Nazareno approved the mayor’s permit of JF Merchandise and Juco Enterprise in violation of RA No. 3019.

Under Section 8 of RA 6713, public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth, and financial and business interests, including those of their spouses and unmarried children who are at least eighteen years old and living in their households.

On the other hand, Section 3(h) of RA 3019 prohibits public officials from directly or indirectly having financing or pecuniary interest in any business, contract, or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest.