Former mayor Allan Xystus A. Gamilla of Bongabon town in Nueva Ecija has been charged before the Sandiganbayan with two counts of graft in the alleged irregular purchase of a lot in 2020 for the municipality’s cold storage facility.
Gamilla was charged with violations of Section 3(e) and (g) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, before the anti-graft court’ fifth division.
From June 8, 2020 to Dec. 2, 2021, Gamilla reportedly entered into a contract with Jocelyn R. Ceña for the purchase of a 20,199-square- meter lot at P950 per square meters, but they just agreed on the total amount of P20,000,000.
Government prosecutors said that Gamilla entered into the contract without prior authority from the Sangguniang Bayan of Bongabon. Also, they said that at the time the contract was signed, the Philippine Rural Development iBuild Program placed the prevailing market value at P72.31 per square meters, but Gamilla bought the property at P950 per square meters.
They also said that Gamilla entered into a Conditional Deed of Sale with Ceña on behalf of the municipality on May 10, 2021 under the condition that the buyer shall pay a full amount of P4,717,200. The buyer shall also pay P15,282,800 to be paid within five years in equal payments of P3,056,560 annually.
Thus, the prosecutors said Bongabon town paid P4,717,200, which caused undue injury to the municipality in the amount of P4,355,700, representing the difference between the market value and the purchase price.
Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Yasmin Soraya A. Masukat recommended Gamilla’s bail at P40,000 each for the two graft charges.