Marinduque gov files graft raps over P1.5-B legal fee deal

MARINDUQUE – Governor Melecio Go formally filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday against a former vice governor and eight Provincial Board members over alleged irregularities involving a P1.5-billion legal fee arrangement.

The complaint centers on a 25 percent contingency fee structure awarded to Salazar Enrile Defensor & De Mata Law Offices (SedaLaw), which could cost the provincial government an estimated P1.5 billion.

In his filing, Go cited the absence of competitive public bidding in procuring the legal services, alleged falsification of official documents, and potential violations of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Go stressed that the legal action aims to protect public funds, asserting that the P1.5 billion should instead be directed toward local environmental rehabilitation projects and community welfare programs across Marinduque.

Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption president Arsenio Evangelista and other civic leaders joined the governor at the Ombudsman headquarters to support the filing.