Former Mayor Augustus Caesar L. Moreno of Aloguinsan, Cebu and his co-accused have been convicted by the Sandiganbayan of two counts of graft for purchasing food supplies in 2010 from a bakeshop owned by the family of the then town executive.

Also convicted was Evangeline D. Manigos, member of the town’s bids and awards committee (BAC).

Both Moreno and Manigos were sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to 10 years in each of the graft cases. They were also barred perpetually from holding public office.

The charges against their co-accused -- Moreno's wife and former Mayor Cynthia Go Moreno, and BAC members Pepito A. Maguilimotan, Nonela N. Villegas, Marilyn P. Flordeliza, and Gertrudes D. Ababon, have been ordered archived because they remain at large. Arrest orders have been issued against them by the court.

The charges against the accused arose from the repeated food supply purchases worth P78,375 from AVG Bakeshop on Feb. 16, April 26, and July 30, 2010.

Prosecutors said that the bakeshop is a sole proprietorship owned under the name "CMoreno" and alleged that there was no public bidding done before the purchases.

During the trial, Manigos admitted that the BAC recommended the alternative mode of shopping. However, the Sandiganbayan said her reason to do so fell short of the requirements set forth in the law.

The anti-graft court said: "Even assuming that shopping was the proper method of procurement, the Court observed that irregularities attended the procurement. The disbursement vouchers subject of this cases are lacking entries. Other supporting documents are undated."

In the cases against former mayor Moreno, the court said he had a direct interest in AVG Bakeshop as well since this was registered under the name of his spouse.

"Clearly, accused Augustus Moreno actually participated or intervened in his official capacity in connection with his interest in the transactions of the municipality of Aloguinsan with AVG Bakeshop," the court said.

"His participation is evident throughout the procurement process, from initiating the procurement of food supplies to signing the disbursement vouchers and other procurement documents," it added.

His participation in the purchases, said the court, was "indispensable" considering that the award of contracts and payments to AVG Bakeshop could not have been made without his signature and approval.

Associate Justice Ronald B. Moreno wrote the 38-page decision with the concurrence of Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito R. Fernandez.

Augustus Moreno won the 2016 elections, but he resigned from the service in February 2017 before the Office of the Ombudsman could implement its dismissal order against him after he was found guilty of grave misconduct.

His son, Cesare Ignatius G. Moreno, who won as vice mayor, took over as town mayor.