Son of Bukidnon vice governor, 3 others charged with graft
Big news in Libona, Bukidnon. After the complaint got dismissed by the Civil Service Commission due to issues on jurisdiction, it now has been lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman. A member of the Libona barangay council, Jerry Alquitela, filed graft charges against a son of Bukidnon Vice Governor Alex Calingasan and three others.
Libona councilor Leonardo Genesis Calingasan, Libona Poblacion barangay chairman Efren Lacorte, barangay treasurer Lynnie Abriol and village councilor Jerry Ablon now face graft and corruption charges in connection with a project that only cost a little over P35,000, according to a news article in Mindanao Gold Star Daily.
According to the article, Alquitela also accused Calingasan et al for allegedly violating the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003.
Alquitela’s complaint allegedly cited Libona businessman James Genecel Yacapin of having sworn that he was “unaware” of a project bidding until the village treasurer inquired about his store’s prices for materials needed for the construction of bleachers and a stage. As it turned out, however, there was a failure of bidding because there was no bidder for the said project.
However, the materials were later procured from the “River Valley General Merchandise and Services” store, which, according to a receipt obtained by Alquitela, was owned by Libona councilor Leonardo Calingasan.
The receipt carried the amount of P35,623.68 and was issued to Barangay Poblacion.
Moreover, Alquitela said that Lacrote and the other barangay officers “were under instruction by Calingasan to rig the bidding.”
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT IN LIBONA BUKIDNON?
