Batad, Iloilo mayor faces graft for approving permit of wife’s business

Batad Mayor Pedro Alarcon of Iloilo was indicted for graft for approving the permits of his wife’s ice plant business from 2011 to 2013.

In a statement on Thursday, the Office of the Ombudsman said Alarcon is set to face criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan on four counts of violating Section 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Alarcon is accused of having “pecuniary interest” for approving the business permits of Batad Ice Plant, which is apparently owned by his wife Elvira.

Records showed that Alarcon approved the business permits of his wife’s ice plant business on February 2011, March 2011, February 2012 and February 2013.

Under Section 3(h) of the anti-graft law, a public official should not directly or indirectly have financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest. JPV/rga