GOVERNANCE Ex-mayor Chiong faces graft case

Former mayor Valdemar Chiong of Naga City, Cebu is facing a graft case before the Sandiganbayan for the allegedly irregular issuance of a business permit to a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant in Barangay Langtad in 2014.

Government prosecutors filed the case for violation of Sec. 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, against Chiong before the anti-graft court.

Chiong’s case was raffled to the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division last Feb.15.

In October 2017, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found evidence to indict Chiong for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Morales found Chiong guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty, and perpetually barred him from working again in government.

Since he is no longer in government service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to Chiong’s salary for one year.

“Chiong deliberately violated the specific requirement of Section 5 (g) of RA 9514 (Fire Code) and in doing so, he gave unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference to Petronas (Energy Philippines),” said Morales in the resolution.

Chiong issued the mayor’s permit to Petronas, although it failed to comply with the distance requirement, pursuant to the fire safety inspection certificate that the Bureau of Fire Protection issues.

Several concerned residents of Barangay Langtad voiced their concerns about the safety implications and risks of the two LPG storage tanks belonging to Petronas in Barangay Langtad.

Records from the municipal hall showed that the 2014 busi- ness permit was issued on April 7, 2014 despite Petronas’ failure to present its Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.

Replying to the charges, the Chiong claimed that he only issued a conditional mayor’s permit as he had to act and use his discretion in addressing Petronas’ pending application pursuant to his power.

In the resolution, Morales said that Chiong deliberately violated the provision of the Fire Code and gave “unwarranted benefits” to Petronas when he issue the permit to the LPG company.

“This clearly shows gross inexcusable negligence and constituted grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty on his part in the performance of his duties and responsibilities as a mayor,” the resolution read.

The ombudsman also struck down Chiong’s defense that merely issued the “conditional business permit” to Petronas.

The conditional permit may be allowed only when the lacking documents are those of SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG, according to a memorandum issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Sec. 5 (g) of the Fire Code states that “no occupancy permit, business or permit to operate shall be issued without securing a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the Chief, BFP, or the duly authorized representative.”/