Ex-Lamitan City vice mayor faces graft raps for paying own gas station P2M

MANILA, Philippines — A former vice mayor of Lamitan City in Basilan province faces graft charges for allegedly paying almost P2 million in gas expenses over a period of seven months in 2012 to a gas station he owned.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said former Lamitan vice mayor Arleigh Eisma, who lost in the 2013 mayoral race, would be charged with several counts of graft, unethical conduct and violation of the Local Government Code.

Investigators found that Eisma approved gasoline expenses worth P1.96 for his private service vehicles from January to July 2012.

Based on records, Eisma “monopolized almost every aspect of the process, from requisition to accepting the delivery, and up to approving the same,” Morales said.

“Eisma allowed his privately owned Shell Station to benefit from the supply transactions undertaken, approved and intervened by his public office in an apparent conflict of interest and breach of public trust reposed on him,” she added. Dona Z. Pazzibugan/CDG