(Eagle News) — The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict former Butuan Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. and several others for graft.
The complaint for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against him, former licensing officer Paul Cabrera and acting city fire marshal Alric Gomez stems from what the Ombudsman said was their act of allowing a business store secure a business permit despite its failure to comply with requirements.
According to the Ombudsman, the Novo Jeans and Shirts Enterprises on Montilla Boulevard, which caught fire on May 9, 2012 and saw 17 stay-in workers killed, was given the permit by Amante months before, on February 15, upon the recommendation of Cabrera despite the lack of a fire safety and inspection certificate.
The business store was given 30 days to comply with the requirements, but it did not submit the same.
According to the Ombudsman, Gomez should have told Amante that Novo did not comply with the requirements so that the store’s business permit could be cancelled.
The anti-graft body said Cabrera should also be held accountable for recommending the approval of the permit.