N. Vizcaya mayor charged with graft

An incumbent and two former mayors are facing charges before the Sandiganbayan.

Jerry Pasigian, mayor of Alfonso Castañeda town in Nueva Vizcaya, was charged with graft and malversation of public property over the alleged anomalous purchase of his service vehicle.

The Office of the Ombuds- man said Pasigian purchased a Nissan Patrol (PCJ-777) worth P1.350 million from a certain Gilbert Arellano without public bidding.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Quiajano Laure said Pasigian registered the vehicle under his name instead of the municipal government .

Laure said Pasigian did not return the car when his term ended in 2013 despite repeated demands.

Pasigian was mayor from 2007 to 2013. He was reelected in May 2016.

The ombudsman set Pasigian’s bail at P70,000.

Meanwhile, Manuel Sulit and Anjanette Sulit-Manglag, former mayors of La Libertad, Zamboanga del Norte, were charged with graft for for failing to liquidate their cash advances.

Based on the complaints, Sulit did not liquidate P275,717 for a supposed travel and another P2,500 in fuel expenses.

Manglag failed to account her cash advance amounting to P92,476 also for a supposed travel.

The ombudsman set Sulit and Manglag’s bail at P12,000 and P6,000, respectively.

Sulit was mayor from 2007 to 2010. He was succeeded by Manglag, who served until 2013.