Citizen’s Crime Watch Files Graft Charges Against Sto. Tomas Mayor |

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The anti-corruption group Citizen’s Crime Watch, led by National President Diego Magpantay, has filed three graft charges against Sto. Tomas City, Batangas Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan and other city officials. The complaint, lodged on Monday, accuses them of violating the Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Magpantay alleges that Mayor Marasigan awarded three separate projects to private companies without going through the proper bidding process, giving them unwarranted benefits. The three projects in question involve the delivery and installation of LED lights, customized medal and certificate holders, and lighting systems in the city.

Magpantay claims that the installation of the LED lights, costing P3,421,776.16, occurred before the required public bidding and posting, a clear violation of procurement rules. Similarly, the award for customized medals and certificate holders, worth P6,347,394, was issued to JOARC Trading without following proper procedures. The third case involves the supply and installation of an energy-efficient street lighting system worth P1,861,680.94, which was awarded to DSOM General Construction despite irregularities.

The Citizen’s Crime Watch group has submitted its complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, calling for an end to what they describe as a pattern of malpractice. According to Magpantay, these cases are just the beginning, as his group has uncovered additional documents pointing to further violations of the Anti-Graft Law.