WESTERN SAMAR, Philippines — Former mayor Alejandro Abarratigue of Hinabangan, Western Samar is facing up to 10 years in prison over the unauthorized purchase of a lot when he was mayor in 2008. The... annual budget did not even provide for the purchase of a lot. “The local government can expand the municipal cemetery without necessarily resorting to the purchase of a lot,” the court added. The third division said Tapia certified in the disbursement voucher the availability of funds for the lot purchase, which paved way for the release of a check amounting to P500,000. “Bagro’s participation in receiving and encashing the check on behalf of Abarracoso consummated the purchase of the subject lot without authority of the Sangguniang Bayan,” the court said.

Source: Philippine Star November 16, 2019 16:00 UTC