Former Masbate mayor cleared of graft raps

Former Milagros Mayor Natividad Isabel Revil Magbalon of Masbate has been cleared by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division of graft charge involving the removal of the municipal social welfare and development officer in 2013.

Magbalon was initially charged with violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act because of undue injury caused to Diosdidita Arcenas, then chief of the municipal social welfare and development office.

She was placed on floating status without due process, therefore being deprived of her monthly representation and transportation allowance (RATA) amounting to ₱8,160.

During the trial, the anti-graft court learned that Magbalon first invited Arcenas to her office to explain the accusations regarding the latter’s involvement in partisan political activities, such as the campaign sorties of a certain Luz Bakunawa. However, Arcenas did not give any explanation. Magbalon then designated Ruth Sia as the officer-in-charge of the MSWDO. For the court, this action does not establish the presence of manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.

“To the mind of the Court, the accused merely performed her duties as the chief executive of the municipality,” the decision read.

“The 50-page decision was written by Associate Justice Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega with the concurrence of Chairperson Rafael Lagos and Associate Justice Maryan CorpusMañalac.