A former mayor of Cainta, Rizal, has been charged with two counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan over the overpriced purchase of a land in 2000.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed against former Cainta Mayor Nicanor Felix cases for violating Section 3(g) and 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019).
The cases have been assigned to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.
Assistant Special Prosecutor III Janet Leah Ramos recommended P30,000 bail for each of the accused.
Under the graft case, Felix is accused of abusing his position as mayor in giving unwarranted benefits to a certain Bryan Villanueva.
In 2000, the municipal government bought from Villanueva a parcel of land with an area of 10,939 square meters in Barrio San Andres, Cainta, at the cost of R25 million.
However, the Ombudsman pointed out that the price of the land is pegged at P1,000 per square meter based on the zonal/market value. (Jeffrey G. Damicog)