MANILA, Sept. 9 (PNA) — The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has found probable cause to file multiple graft charges against former Lamitan City Vice-Mayor Arleigh Eisma for the unlawful disbursement of funds covering gasoline payments paid to a gas station he owned.
In an eight-page resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of several cases for violations of Sections 3 (b), (e) and (h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, Section 89 (1) of RA No. 7160, or the “Local Government Code”, and Section 7(a) of RA No. 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”.
Investigation show that from January 2012 to July 2012, Eisma facilitated and approved gasoline expenses for his private service vehicles amounting to Php1,964,921.25.
Records show that all trip tickets, purchase requests, purchase orders, inspection and acceptance reports, checks and disbursement vouchers were approved by respondent alone.
The Ombudsman resolution said that “respondent monopolized almost every aspect of the process, from requisition, to accepting the delivery, and up to approving the same.”
It added that the requirements of competitive bidding or negotiated procurement for supplies were not observed and in the process, “Eisma allowed his privately owned Shell Station to benefit from the supply transactions undertaken, approved and intervened by his public office in an apparent conflict of interest and breach of public trust reposed on him.” (PNA)