CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – A former municipal mayor in Camiguin province who was arrested Wednesday night will be transported to Metro Manila and will be turned over to the Sandiganbayan, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-10 (CIDG-10) said Thursday.
Apprehended by local police and CDIG-10 operatives was Alex Jajalla, 62, married, and the erstwhile mayor of Mahinog town who’s now a businessman in Barangay Hubangon.
Major Napoleon Carpio, CIDG-10 deputy regional chief, said Jajalla was arrested on the virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, chairperson of the Sandiganbayan 7th Division.
Based on information provided by the CIDG-10, the former town official was convicted by the Sandiganbayan for violation of Sec. 3 (e) or Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
His case was docketed under criminal case no. SB-16-CRM-0052 dated Sept. 9, 2019 with a conviction to serve his sentence.
Section 3 (e) states it is considered unlawful for a public official to cause “any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”
Carpio said Jajalla is still under their custody but he will be transported and will be brought to Sandiganbayan within the week.
He said Jajalla went through the documentation process at the CIDG-10 headquarters where his fingerprints and mugshots were taken.
“He is in good shape,” Carpio said, referring to the prisoner’s state of health, considering his age.
Carpio said it is now up to the discretion of the Sandiganbayan which correctional facility Jajalla will serve his six-year sentence.
According to records, Jajalla committed a violation when he approved the six-month rehabilitation leave with pay of his brother Misael, who was then his security aide, from July to December 2008 when he was still the mayor of Mahinog.
The Office of the Ombudsman pointed out that Jajalla’s brother was not qualified for such leave as his injuries he inflicted did not occur during the performance of his official duties.
The anti-graft court said Misael was able to receive compensation during the six-month period amounting to P69,366 thereby causing undue injury to the government.
Carpio said Jajalla told the CIDG-10 he is ready to serve the sentence handed down by the Sandiganbayan. (davaotoday.com)
