Ex-Leyte town mayor faces graft rap over P5.4-M ‘ghost project’

FILE: The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge former Carigara, Leyte Mayor Anlie Apostol with one count of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over a water project in 2010. (Photo: Office of the Ombudsman Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge former Carigara, Leyte Mayor Anlie Apostol with one count of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over a water project in 2010.

Probers from the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office in Region 8 found that in 2010, the municipality received PHP6 million to fund the project for the repair of the small water impounding system in Barangays Binibihan, San Isidro, and Paglaum.

A total of PHP5.4 million was paid to New Leyte Ever Hardware Company for construction materials and supplies.

However, probers found that the project turned out to be a “ghost project,” as there was no actual delivery of supplies for the project.

According to the town’s supply officer, Crescente Precia, Apostol “commanded him to sign the acceptance and inspection report (AIR)” despite non-delivery of materials.

“[Apostol’s] directive to Precia to make it appear that complete delivery had already been effected had paved the way for the disbursement of public funds and payment to the supplier even without actual delivery of the procured materials/supplies. By releasing the amount of P5,417,852.82 to New Leyte Ever Hardware sans delivery of the materials/supplies procured, respondent undoubtedly caused undue injury to the municipality of Carigara,” the Ombudsman resolution said.

Apostol was also found guilty of grave misconduct.

He was ordered dismissed from the service with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and bar from taking the civil service examinations.

On the other hand, Precia was found guilty of simple misconduct and ordered suspended for three months.

The Ombudsman decision added that in case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to Apostol’s salary for one year, and in Precia’s case, his salary for three months.