Ex-Ilocos Sur mayor, 4 others face graft charges

STA. CATALINA, Ilocos Sur -- Former Mayor Carlos Racadio Asuncion of this town has been charged with eight counts of graft and four counts of malversation before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division in connection with the alleged misappropriation of public funds intended from the Tobacco Excise Tax in 2012.

Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Zarnette E. Sanceda charged Asuncion and private individuals Mamelfa Amongol, Rosita Ragunjan, Virginia Rafanan, and Genoveva Ragasa for violations of Sections 3(e) and 3(j) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corruption Law), as well as Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

They were accused of conspiring with one another in order to course P100,000 from the municipality’s share in the tobacco excise tax to four chapters of Bayanihan ng Kababaihan – in Cabittaogan, Subec, Paratong, and Sinabaan – on June 15, 2012.

Sanceda said that Asuncion had “lack of authority from the Sangguniang Bayan of Sta. Catalina, lack of proper appropriation and non-compliance with Commission on Audit Circular No. 2007-01” when he offered the financial assistance.