MANILA, Philippines - Two former governors of Sulu and Antique provinces are facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan over alleged fraudulent transactions involving millions in government funds.
Based on separate information prepared by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Judy Anne Doctor-Escalona and approved last May 16 by Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro, former Governor Benjamin T. Loong of Sulu was indicted for 8 counts of violation of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Ex-Antique Governor Salvacion Z. Perez was charged on 2 counts of violation of RA 3019. Loong was accused of pressuring Provincial Treasurer Jesus S. Cabelin to release P41.5 million as cash advances in 3 installments on March 27, April 2 and April 10, 2007 for the construction of cold storage facilities in Maimbung Sulu. He was also held liable for allegedly using his own firm, BJ Coco Oil Mill Inc., to run and manage a livelihood project of the provincial government called the Cassava Production/Post Harvest Facility in Indanan, Sulu which received a grant of P4.2 million government funds on March 15, 2007. Loong is also accused of using his position as governor to corner 4 road contracts on March 6, 2007 when he approved the resolution of the Bids and Awards Committee declaring (ZC) BJ Construction and Material Supply as the winning bidder for the concreting of the Alu-Layag-Sialngkan Road, the Alu-Pangkoh Road, Alu-Layag Road and Indanan-Parang Road. Meanwhile, Perez was accused of giving undue preference to a private enterprise, Antique Development Foundation, by endorsing the latter to receive P5 million from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit No. 6 out of the Farm Inputs/Farm Implements Program which later became known as the Fertilizer Fund. Prosecutor Escalona noted that Perez may also be held liable for having financial interest in the foundation because records showed she was holding the position of “honorary chairman” of the non-government organization in 2004 when the funds were released. The prosecution asked the Sandiganbayan to set bail bond for Perez at P30,000 for each count of graft.
