State prosecutors have formally charged the mayor and treasurer of San Sebastian, Samar for failing to pay the town’s taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Former Mayor Arnold Abalos and municipal treasurer Virginia Uy face one count each of malversation and violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Sandiganbayan.
According to the malversation charge, the two misappropriated public funds by failing to remit the town’s P1,272,831.63 tax obligations for the years 2008 and 2009 despite demand by the BIR.
The graft charge stated that this caused undue injury to the government as it was deprived of use of the tax, as well as the municipality itself for incurring penalties.
The Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the charges, recommended that bail be set at P70,000 for each accused.