Ni: Rommel P. Tabbad
Hinatulan ng Sandiganbayan ng 18 taong pagkakakulong ang isang dating alkalde ng Cebu dahil sa hindi pagsasauli ng nabiling semento na nagkakahalaga ng halos P340,000 noong mayor pa ito noong 2004.
Napatunayang nagkasala si Rogelio Baquerfo, Sr., dating alkalde ng Tudela, sa kasong malversation of public property at pinagmumulta ng P57,750 bukod pa ang interest na anim na porsiyento kada taon simula nang mailabas ang desisyon sa usapin.
Nag-ugat ang kaso nang bumili si Baquerfo ng 350 bags ng semento na aabot sa P339,233.33 para sa isang proyektong bayan noong Hunyo 2004.
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“Prosecutors presented evidence that the bags of cement were delivered to the house of the accused. This was corroborated by the testimonies of the two drivers who delivered the items to the mayor’s warehouse that despite several demands, Baquerfo refused to return the materials to the municipality,” saad sa pasya ng korte.
Idinahilan ni Baquerfo na ginamit niya umano ang mga semento sa isang “clean and green project”.
“The evidence adduced by the prosecution, however, showed that the purpose for the procurement of the bags of cement no longer existed since the clean and green project of the municipality was implemented in 2003,” saad pa ng hukuman.
“The accused initially provided the cements for the clean and project in 2003 is beside the point. What is apparent is that the accused allowed the procurement of the bags of cement by signing the purchase request, abstract of proposal, purchase order, disbursement voucher and the check, knowing fully-well that there was no resolution from the Sangguniang Bayan for the appropriation of funds for the clean and green project,” sabi pa.
