Ombudsman set to charge ex-Tanjay mayor with graft

Former Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, Mayor Lawrence Teves will soon face yet another graft case after the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge him over an anomalous barangay project.

The Ombudsman has ordered Teves’ indictment for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; it has already denied his motion for reconsideration but the case has yet to be formally filed at the Sandiganbayan.

Also ordered charged were former Sangguniang Panlungsod members Jose Orlino and Steve Teves.

The Ombudsman cited the Commission on Audit’s findings regarding the construction of footsteps in  Barangays Obogon and Sto. Niño,  which was allegedly delayed by three years.

The CoA had reported that materials were received in July 2011, but the footsteps were installed only in 2014. It also found that 85 uninstalled pieces were only piled up near the house of the chairman of Barangay Sto. Niño.

The Ombudsman rejected Teves’ claim of good faith because the program of works stated that “the implementation shall be ‘by administration,’ that is by the executive branch.”

The three respondents allegedly acted together to procure the construction materials without complying with the proper dimensions. This supposedly resulted in shortages and delays.

Orlino and Teves were specifically held liable as they requested the project and concurred in the canvass and award to Rebelin Enterprises for the supply of construction materials.  The two councilors also signed the delivery receipts “which obviously meant that they received materials,” the Ombudsman said.

Teves, who is currently serving as vice-mayor, was just recently charged at the Sandiganbayan over the repair of covered canals in June 2011 without conducting public bidding.