Mindanao dev't official faces graft case for bringing husband to work

MANILA - The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a case against Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Finance and Administrative Services Director Charlita Escaño at the Sandiganbayan, for bringing her husband to a seminar in 2015.

In the information approved by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on July 13, 2018 and re-approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on December 19, 2018, Escaño supposedly violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when she allowed her husband, Engr. Alan Escaño to join the Basic Occupational Safety and Health Course for Construction Site Officers at the Ritz Hotel in Davao City.

The Ombudsman said Escaño, who was not an employee of MinDA, benefited from the P6,000 registration fee, thereby causing undue injury to the government.

Also according to the information, Engr. Escaño took the place of Engr. Renato Buhat Jr. who was not able to attend the seminar.

The information included the name of Anacleto Calamba, Jr., President of MinDA as one of the witnesses, along with MinDA employee Janet Lopoz and Philippine Institute for Civil Engineers adminsitrative staff Loyzel Losaria.

The recommended bail is at P30,000.