Ex-Bataan mayor charged over land deal

A former municipal mayor in Bataan is facing another graft case in connection with the allegedly anomalous purchase of land worth P1.8 million.

Former Mariveles mayor Angel Peliglorio Jr. was named respondent in a complaint filed with the Sandiganbayan on Dec. 12.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Peliglorio, in behalf of the municipal government, purchased a 3,777 squaremeter property from Lauro Guansing in 2005.

The ombudsman said the transfer certificate of title that lot seller Lauro Guansing turned over to the municipal government showed the property was only 1,131 square meters.

Anti-graft investigators said Peliglorio gave unwarranted benefits and advantage to the seller and undue injury to the government.

The ombudsman set Peliglorio’s bail at P30,000.

Last year, Peliglorio was charged with graft and malversation before the Sandiganbayan for the construction of a public market.

Peliglorio allegedly paid the contractor P23 million, but the project was never started.

Acquitted

Meanwhile, former mayor Delfin Ting of Tuguegarao City has been acquitted in a graft case involving the demolition of a market in 2008.

In a recent ruling, the Sandiganbayan said the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence showing Ting guilty of partiality, bad faith and gross negligence.

The anti-graft court lifted a hold departure order it earlier issued against the former mayor.

Filed in 2011, the case against Ting stemmed from the demolition of the Tuguegarao City Central Market in July 2008 despite a resolution of the city council recommending an upgrade of the facility.

The court gave weight to the defense’s argument that a scrutiny of the resolution showed the city council authorized the demolition of the market, as mere renovation would sacrifice its structural integrity.

It said the defense presented documents showing the demolition was authorized by city engineers and project designers.