Ex-mayors in Cebu charged

A man and his wife who are former mayors of Alonguinsan town in Cebu were charged before the Sandiganbayan for purchasing food supplies from a family-owned bakeshop.

Graft charges were filed against Augustus Caesare Moreno and his wife, Cynthia, at the court’s Fifth Division.

Charged with them were bids and awards committee (BAC) Chairman Pepito Maguilimotan and Nonela Villegas, members Marilyn Flordeliza, Gertrudes Ababon, and Evangeline Manigos.

Cynthia Moreno was mayor when the purchases in question were made. Her husband was vice mayor and succeeded her as mayor.

The respondent were accused of conspiring with one another on February 16, 2010 and April 26 to July 30 when they made repeated food supply purchases worth R78,375 from AVG Bakeshop, owned by the Morenos.

The purchases were made without public bidding, court records said.

despite Cynthia’s ownership and direct pecuniary interest in the transactions as well as failure to conduct public bidding and splitting of contracts.

Assistant Special Prosecutor III Maria Janina Hidalgo said in the charge sheets that on April 20, 2010 and from August 11 to December 30, the municipal government also bought R204,350 worth of food supplies from the bakeshop.

Cynthia’s bail was set at R50,000, and Augustus at R40,000. Bail for their co-accused was set at R60,000 each.

Augustus won the 2016 elections, but resigned last February before the Office of the Ombudsman could order his dismissal over the bakeshop case.

Their son, Cesare Ignatius Moreno, the vice mayor, took over as mayor.