Celino files 3rd case vs ex-mayor
ROXAS CITY – Mayor Angel Alan Celino has filed another case against former mayor Vicente Bermejo before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on September 24.
This time, involving the allegedly “highly anomalous transaction” in the purchase of three government vehicles – an Isuzu Manlift truck and two Mitsubishi Wagons.
In his complaint, Celino said it appears that the provincial government funded the purchase of the subject vehicles, but the Deed of Sale and the Transfer Certificate were in favor of the Roxas City government.
Based on official documents, the provincial government issued a check named under then governor Bermejo amounting to P1,950,800 for the payment of the vehicles.
Bermejo bought the vehicles after the May 2007 elections from Philippine Pan Subik Ventures Inc. but registered them under the Roxas City government in Aug. 8, 2007.
Last week, Celino also filed a case against Bermejo and three others before the Ombudsman for their alleged failure to act on the complaint of a city resident against the illegal occupants in his property.
Named as respondents along with Celino are Margarita Maestro, former OIC city engineer; Brgy. 5 village head Freddie Doroteo; and councilman Eduardo Estrella.
The case stemmed from the failure of the respondents to act on the complaint of Ricardo Vidal of Burgos St., Roxas City last February, for abatement of nuisance and for eviction and demolition against illegal occupants Vivian and Noli Martinez, Maricel Palete, Juliana Vela, and Fred Antonio.
Before that, Celino also filed a case against Bermejo, Liga ng mga Barangay President Wilson Acervo, Olutayan Brgy. Capt. Manuel Aninang and City General Services Office Head Glenn Amane before the Ombudsman for allegedly taking the hot lumber seized by City Hall, for their personal use.
The filing of the case then was based on the recommendations of the City Council committee on good government, chaired by Councilor Julius Abela.*
