Former Antique governor Exequiel Javier is facing a graft case before the Sandiganbayan for the alleged misuse of congressional fund when he served as lawmaker of the province’s lone district.
Assistant Special Prosecutor Jorge Espinal alleged that Javier conspired with Efren Esclavilla, Greater Antique Development Cooperative (GRANDCoop) board chairman, for the operation and maintenance of a 40-ton rice mill at P9.9 million for Patnongon town.
Based on the document, Javier “acted with evident bad faith, manifest partiality, and/or gross inexcusable negligence” in using his Priority Development Assistance Fund from January 2007 to February 2008 in favor solely of GRANDCoop without any financial consideration and research of the cooperative.
The other respondents were ex-Patnongon mayor Henry Mondejar; ex-vice mayor Johnny Flores Bacongallo; councilors Gemma Cepeda,Thomas Bacaoco, Al Brian Crespo, Felix Gregorio Barrientos, Rene Philip Cayetano, Teopisto Estaris Jr. and Erika Orcasitas.
On Feb. 5, 2007, the Department of Agriculture and the municipality of Patnongon signed a memorandum of agreement with the concurrence of Javier for the release of P10 million “for the implementation of the food security, livelihood and post-harvest facility programs.”
Of the amount, P9.9 million was used to buy a 40-ton rice mill from ALHEED International Trading Corp. The mill, however, was never brought to Patnongon, the complaint read.