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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Chavit Singson, others named in plunder, graft charges filed with Ombudsman

Chavit Singson, others named in plunder, graft charges filed with Ombudsman

Published Oct 20, 2025 02:45 pm

Former mayor Luis "Chavit" C. Singson of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur and several other persons have been charged with graft and plunder before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) in the privatization of a foreshore land and alleged overpriced purchase for P149.96 million of a property from Western Textile Mills, Inc.
The complaints were filed by Warriors Ti Narvacan, Inc. which was represented by its president, lawyer Estelita D. Cordero, and several residents of Narvacan town.
Aside from graft, Singson – who was also former governor of Ilocos Sur, and his co-respondents were also charged administratively.
Named aside from Singson in the graft charge were former general manager/chief executive officer Robert Dean S. Barbers of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), Manager Luzviminda Ramos of Tourism Lodge and caretaker of the foreshore area locally known as "Santorini," and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Rosemarie Jornacion.
The complaint stated that Singson and the other respondents illegally occupied and privatized the foreshore area in Sulvec, Narvacan town. They were accused of constructing structures without permits or environmental clearance.
Barbers was likewise accused of executing a 2008 Deed of Sale by transferring public land to Ramos' company without Presidential approval.
"The acts allegedly caused undue injury to the government, violated environmental laws, and showed abuse of authority and conspiracy among the respondents," the complaint stated.
On plunder charge under Section 1(d)(6) of Republic Act No. 7080, also charged aside from Singson were vice mayor Pablito V. Sanidad Sr.; councilors Edna C. Sanidad, Joseph A. Tejada, Jovenniano B. Ampo Jr., Charito C. Viloria, Bernadette C. Lim, Loreto C. Caballes, Emiliano C. Clarin, Reina Alexa V. Antolin, Romulo C. Rea, and Joemar Grey A. Cabico; municipal assessor Arlene Debina; and Western Textile Mills Inc. representative Raymond Ang.
The complaint stated that Singson and his co-respondents allegedly conspired to defraud the municipality by executing the overpriced purchase of a 99,974-square-meter property covered by TCT No. T-31735 from Western Textile Mills, Inc. for P149,961,000 despite its actual value of only P49,987,000 based on zonal valuation.
"The alleged overpricing of nearly P100 million constitutes ill-gotten wealth under Republic Act Np. 7080," the complaint said.
It also claimed that "Singson acted as the main plunderer, initiating and negotiating the purchase, while the Sangguniang Bayan members, assessors, and Ang participated as co-conspirators."
The local government unit, the complaint stated “repeatedly failed” to submit financial statements from 2019 to 2022, “which meant that they were concealing the said irregularity.”
Aside from the filing of plunder charges against the respondents, the complainants want the preventive suspension of incumbent Mayor Edna Sanidad, a lifestyle check on the respondents, as well as restitution of P99,974,000, which is equivalent to the overpriced amount.
None of the respondents in the charges could be contacted for comment as of posting time.
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