A GRAFT charge has been filed before the Sandiganbayan against former Babatngon, Leyte municipal mayor Charito Chan over her alleged questionable issuance of a permit for a cockfighting operation.
Graft prosecutor Cynthia Maturan-Sibi filed the information accusing Chan of violation of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1802 creating the Gamefowl Commission and a municipal ordinance governing cockfighting operations.
Based on the indictment, Chan was accused of acting with manifest partiality and evident bad faith when she issued a mayor’s permit in favor of Nicomedes C. Alde on August 28, 2009.
Graft investigators said the cockpit permit had no basis as the Sangguniang Bayan of Babatngon had already repealed Resolution No. 2253-07 that previously authorized Chan to issue the permit.
They likewise noted that Alde failed to comply with the requirements provided under the municipal ordinance, hence the grant of the permit gave the recipient “unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference.”
Ombudsman Samuel Martires approved the resolution recommending Chan’s indictment on July 23, 2019.
The prosecution recommended that the Sandiganbayan set Chan’s bail bond at P30,000.
