MANILA - The Sandiganbayan ordered the arrest of a father and son, who were both former mayors of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, and two others for their participation in the alleged malversation of PHP81 million in public funds representing the share of the town from the excise tax on locally manufactured cigarettes. Edgardo Zaragoza and his son, Zuriel; municipal accountant Melody Cadacio; and education research assistant Mario Cabinte have been charged with malversation and graft under Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The court set the bail at PHP210,000 each. Narvacan Mayor Luis "Chavit" Singson sued them for misappropriating the funds for farmer-beneficiaries, obtained from the excise tax of the Farmers Association of Narvacan. The respondents forged records to pad the number of farmer-beneficiaries of the excise tax, according to Singson's complaint. "The people of Narvacan suffered due to the abuses committed by local officials," Sing
The Office of the Ombudsman has denied a petition filed by two former mayors of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur in connection with a graft case involving the tobacco excise tax.