THE Office of the Ombudsman indicted on Tuesday former Hinabangan mayor Alejandro Abarratigue of Western Samar, former treasurer Raul Tapia and administrative officer II Analiza Bagro guilty of grave misconduct.
It also ordered the filing of graft against the respondents, their dismissal from the service and imposition of the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, as well from taking civil service examinations and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
“In case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to their salary for one year,” the resolution read.
In addition, the Ombudsman ordered the filing of charges for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) against the respondents.
The case arose from the complaint filed by the field investigation office of the Ombudsman’s Tacloban regional office regarding the irregular purchase of a parcel of property intended for the expansion of the municipal cemetery.
Abarratigue and company facilitated and approved the payment of P500,000 for the lot in 2008.
The purchase was not authorized by the Sangguniang Bayan.
“The purchase of lot by respondents was anomalous. It was done without the imprimatur of the SB of Hinabangan, Samar. The local chief executive is precluded from entering into contract in behalf of the local government unit without securing prior authorization,” the resolution said.