CLARK FREEPORT – The tables are turned on the former mayor of Magalang town after a graft case filed against him three years ago surfaced recently exposing alleged anomalies committed during his administration.
Former Magalang mayor Romulo Pecson was named respondent along with Maria Teresa Lakandula and Faustino Sengson among others in a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in 2016 for violation of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Incumbent Magalang Mayor Maria Lourdes P. Lacson said Pecson was saying that she, as the first woman mayor of Magalang, is also the first to be charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for “grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and unbecoming conduct.”
Lacson’s case stemmed from the reported sale of hogs in a piggery farm where a drug raid was earlier conducted in the town.
However, the Ombudsman dismissed the case in a decision on February 15, 2018.
Lacson said the motion for reconsideration filed by Pecson was also dismissed by the Ombudsman on August 1, 2018 for lack of merit.
Banuar Reuben A. Falcon, graft investigation and prosecution officer III, penned the dismissal while Adoracion A. Agbada, acting assistant Ombudsman, concurred.
Recommending the approval was Gerard A, Mosquera, deputy Ombudsman for Luzon while Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires signed the document for approval.
During the Balitaan media forum organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. (CAMI) in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) at the Bale Balita here on Friday, Lacson said Pecson’s case is still pending with the Ombudsman.
Pecson is seeking to reclaim his seat as mayor against Lacson who is running for her second term.
“Iya pala ing atin kasu, aliwa aku (He [Pecosn] is the one who has a case, not me),” Lacson said.
Pecson’s case stemmed from disallowances by the Commission on Audit (COA) during his administration. The COA findings “enumerated a number of unlawful acts and transactions undertaken” by Pecson involving millions of pesos.
In her first term as mayor, Lacson said Magalang has won two Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) missing the third by a mere technicality.
Lacson said this proves that in her administration is transparent and there was no COA disallowance.
Meanwhile, Lacson said Magalang is now gearing as a tourists’ haven after several sites have been declared important cultural properties by the National Museum.
Magalang is located at the foot of the majestic Mount Arayat.
