Acting Mayor Anacta voluntarily surrenders

Acting Mayor Fidel V. Anacta Jr. (Photo by: Alren Beronio/EsteNews)

Acting Mayor Anacta voluntarily surrenders
By Eden Cidro/Este News


Acting Mayor Fidel Anacta, Jr. (Photo by Alren Jerome Beronio / Este News)
BORONGAN CITY, April 2, 2017–Acting City Mayor Fidel Anacta Jr., voluntarily surrendered to police authorities in Borongan. Police records show that Anacta turned himself to P/Supt. Dionesio Maestre Jr., Borongan police chief at around 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon on March 31.

A warrant of arrest for Anacta was issued by Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Mendoza- Arcega of the Sandiganbayan Fifth division, dated March 21, 2017.

The case stemmed from the purchase of a proposed cemetery lot in 2003 when Anacta was the Mayor of Municipality of Borongan.

According to reports, the 16,426 square meter lot was bought for P8.21 million, but the Sandiganbayan ruled that the lot was grossly overpriced since its market value was only P58,197.

The court detrermined that Anacta made the initial payment without the property owner vesting the title to the municipality and the Sangguniang bayan did not authorize the purchase.

In October 2016, the Sandiganbayan rendered a decision convicting Anacta for graft.

The decision was appealed by Anacta in November 2016, but in the Resolution penned by Associate Justice Mendoza- Arcega, promulgated in February 7, 2017, the Court reiterated “that the act of the accused in entering into a Deed of Sale without authority or without prior approval from the Sangguniang Bayan, to purchase a lot to be converted into a public cemetery, in the amount of Eight Million Pesos was exorbitant and unconscionable in reference to the market value assessed by the government, tax declaration and real property field appraisal and assessment sheet which are factors that could determine the just, fair and reasonable valuation of the property. The accused may have been propelled by good intentions, however, such good intentions should be coupled with faithful observance of the provisions and procedural requirements of law”.

The Court further said that the accused failed to “allege new matters that would warrant a reversal of the said decision, hence the Motion for Reconsideration was denied.”

The Sandiganbayan sentenced Anacta to 6-10 years imprisonment and barred from holding public office. Anacta has been Acting Mayor since March 1, when Mayor Fe Abunda was suspended by the Ombudsman.

Photo by: Alren Beronio/ EsteNews