Enad: Quarry Block Was About Safety, Not Graft
Suspended Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad faces graft charges alongside 12 municipal officials after repeatedly blocking a quarry rehabilitation plan in Barangay Guindarohan. Enad insists the decision protected public safety and the environment, not personal gain. The Office of the Ombudsman disagrees, citing evident bad faith and conspiracy.
Why Did the Ombudsman File Graft Charges Against Minglanilla Officials?
On Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman announced probable cause to charge Enad, Vice Mayor Elanito Peña, 10 members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and Municipal Administrator Junrie Casquejo Bragat with violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The case was filed before the Regional Trial Court in Naga City, Cebu.
Charged alongside Enad and Peña were councilors Oscar Cañares Dela Calzada Jr., Samuel Gordsin Adlawan Jr., Jesus Denoyo Velez, Jeremias Llanos Cañares, Jaime Secretarya Caumeran, Jenifer Dejan Lariosa, Proserfina Laput Fajutrao, Jenny Zafra Young, Petronilo Entera Traya, and Rick Ryan Zafra.
What Is Enad's Defense?
Hours after the Ombudsman's announcement, Enad rejected any suggestion of corruption. He framed the case as a consequence of prioritizing constituents over corporate interests.