SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna. San Pedro City Councilor Carlon “Lonlon” Ambayec has lodged criminal complaints for plunder and graft against the entire elected officials of San Pedro City, Laguna, including Mayor Art Francis Joseph Mercado and Vice Mayor Divina Olivarez. The complaints were filed last week before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Ambayec accused the officials of violating Republic Act 7080 (Plunder) and Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) due to their alleged unauthorized purchase of a 12,274-square-meter property in Barangay Laram, San Pedro City, costing P73,644,000.
The councilor claims that the land was acquired without proper legal proceedings and that the transaction was overpriced. He further noted that the property houses informal settlers, and no relocation plan was provided for them, which is a requirement for government land acquisitions.
“I did not sign their resolution because it was the people’s money that they were using. They said the lot would be for various future government projects, but spending such a huge amount without a clear plan is unacceptable,” Ambayec stated.
In addition to Mayor Mercado and Vice Mayor Olivarez, the complaint also names City Councilors Michael Casacop, Sheriliz Almoro, Joie Chelsea Villegas, Leslie Lu, and Atty. Mark Oliveros, Aldrin Mercado, Bernadette Olivarez, Jose Mendoza, and Vincent Solidum. Other officials implicated include ex-officio members Diwa Tayao and Raphael Ty, city administrator Atty. Henry Salazar, and 12 additional city officials.
Ambayec emphasized that the purchase lacked a clear purpose and that the local government did not appoint a board of assessors to evaluate the property’s value, nor was the acquisition included in their annual investment plan. “The local government cannot buy any land property without specifying their plans for it. I know that is not allowed,” he added.
Roy Tomandao
Si Roy Tumandao ay kasalukuyang pangulo ng Camp Vicente Lim Press Corps. Nagsimula siya sa larangan ng media noong 1992 at aktibo bilang photo journalist at news correspondent para sa iba’t ibang tabloid. Broadcaster siya ng DZJV 1458 Radyo Calabarzon.
