DENR investigator faces graft charges

Graft charges were filed against an investigator of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Cebu City for allegedly demanding and receiving P8,000.

Edwin Atentar, special land investigator of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-DENR, will be facing trial on charges of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Bail was recommended at P30,000.

The case stemmed from a complaint of Virgilia Seguerra and her son Wayne before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

The complainants said they filed a Miscellaneous Sales Application (MSA) with the CENRO-DENR Cebu City to legalize their occupancy and ultimately acquire ownership of a parcel of land with an area of 15,088 square meters located along a foreshore area in Talisay City.

On one occasion, the mother and son went to the CENRO to look for a certain Rizalina Labang and inquire about the progress of their MSA.

They said Atentar approached them and volunteered to help them with their application.

Atentar invited Virgilia for a site inspection.

When Virgilia and her son went back to CENRO, they said Atentar demanded P20,000 as payment for securing a “Survey Authority.”

The complainants begged for partial payment.

They said Atentar demanded P8,000.

The complainants eventually gave the money to Atentar.

In his counter-affidavit, Atentar said it was Virginia who entrusted to him the amount of P5,000.

He said Virginia asked him as a favor to pay for whatever assessment fees were due in relation to the MSA so she doesn’t have to spend time going back to the office to pay.

Atentar said he accepted the P5,000.

The anti-graft office found sufficient basis to elevate the charges before the trial court.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Yvette Soleng said that a mere denial is “self-serving” and cannot be given much weight as evidence.