Ombudsman files graft raps vs Enad, Mingla councilors

Local

THE Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict suspended Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad and the members of the municipal council of graft charges.

The Ombudsman has formally filed a graft case, or violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, before the Regional Trial Court in the City of Naga, Cebu.

The charges stemmed from a complaint filed against Enad, Vice Mayor Elanito Peña, and the 10 members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Minglanilla after they allegedly failed to issue permits to business properties in Sitio Napo, Barangay Guindarohan, Minglanilla.

Aside from Enad and Peña, the other officials charged were SB members Oscar Cañares Dela Calzada Jr., Samuel Gordsin Adlawan Jr., Jesus Denoyo Velez, Jeremias Llanos Cañares, Jaime Secretarya Caumeran, Jenifer Dejan Lariosa, Proserfina Laput Fajutrao, Jenny Zafra Young, Petronilo Entera Traya, and Rick Ryan Zafra.

Municipal Administrator Junrie Casquejo Bragat was among the charged individuals.

These officials are currently serving a one-year suspension following the Ombudsman’s order issued in February this year.

In its decision, the Ombudsman found that the respondents “acted with evident bad faith, manifest partiality, or gross inexcusable negligence” following their refusal to approve the rehabilitation plan of the complainants, Jomara Konstruct Corporation and Jomara Agri Foods and Supply Corporation.

Furthermore, the officials also disregarded the recommendations of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), even after the partial lifting of the cease and desist order (CDO) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The anti-graft body also noted that the respondents were likewise found to have given an “unwarranted benefit, advantage, or preference” to competing entities by disregarding the EMB’s recommendation to proceed with the implementation of the complainants’ rehabilitation plan.

It also determined that there was a conspiracy among the respondents after the SB members passed a resolution disapproving the rehabilitation plan, which was eventually approved by Enad.

The issue started in 2021 after ground cracks were detected on top of a quarry in Barangay Guindarohan, prompting the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to conduct a geohazard assessment, which eventually led to the issuance of a CDO by the EMB.

The environmental agencies provided recommendations to stabilize the slopes and address safety concerns, which the complainants complied with by submitting a rehabilitation plan.

However, the required permits were allegedly repeatedly denied by the LGU officials.

The anti-graft body spared the Sangguniang Bayan Secretary from the charges due to lack of merit.

Currently, Minglanilla is led by Enad's wife and Lheslen Enad as Acting Mayor while Mulot Laput is serving as Acting Vice Mayor.(MyTVCebu)