The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division found the incumbent vice mayor of Ilog, along with five other municipal officials, guilty of graft, sentencing them to a maximum 10 years of imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from hold public office.

According to the decision dated December 6, 2018, Ilog Vice Mayor John Paul Alvarez, who was mayor at the time of the incident, alongside Municipal Engineer Manuel Sitchon, Planning Officer Elbert Magbato, Budget Officer Hegel Dumadia, Municipal Treasurer Alberto Gidalanon, and District Supervisor Arsenia Jaunero were found in violation of Section 3, Paragraph E of RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which pertains to “giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

The case stems from a 2004 case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman after the local Bids and Awards Committee awarded Miasar Car Care the rights to replace the engine for the Department of Education-Ilog Schools Division I service vehicle, which cost P98,500.

According to the decision by Associate Justices Karl Miranda, Sarah Jane Fernandez, and Michael Frederick Musngi, the project was awarded “without competitive bidding.”

Alvarez is currently running unopposed for mayor in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.

Watchmen Daily Journal tried contacting Alvarez for reaction but he could not be reached as of press time./DGB, WDJ