Agusan governor arrested for graft posts bail

MANILA, Philippines—Incumbent Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John M. Amante immediately posted bail after being arrested by the Sandiganbayan over 13 counts of graft case filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Amante has been required to pay P30,000 bail for each count of the cases filed against him. He is currently at the Sandiganbayan First Division where his bid for temporary liberty is being processed.

He is expected to be released within the day.

Amante went to the Sandiganbayan First Division Thursday morning but was no longer allowed to leave due to the arrest warrant issued against him.

Amante was charged with 13 counts of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for allegedly favoring SR Metals Inc. (SRMI) in its operations.

The complaint alleged that SRMI managed to transport 672,163 metric tons of nickel ores worth $23,818,715 from August 2006 to April 2007.

In its resolution, the anti-graft body averred that Amante gave unwarranted advantage to SRMI when he constantly issued transport permits in the small-scale mining operator’s favor.