THE Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has directed Catbalogan City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan and 14 others to answer the graft charges filed against them over the allegedly overpriced purchase of a lot worth P125 million in 2016.

Deputy Ombudsman Paul Elmer Clemente gave Tan and her co-accused 10 days to answer the graft and misconduct charges filed against them by a former government worker.

The ombudsman reminded the respondents that the document should contain only the charges and other claims in the affidavits and the pleadings filed by the parties. Both parties may also submit additional affidavits and documentary evidence to the case.

“Should this office find no need to further proceedings after the submission of the position papers, the case shall be deemed submitted for decision,” the ombudsman said.

The anti-graft office docketed for fact-finding the complaint for plunder that one Bernard Jake Ramos filed against Tan and several top City Hall officials.

Tan, members of the City Council, and two private lot owners are facing a plunder case before the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Ramos labeled the lot purchase “dubious” and said Uy-Tan’s family had close ties with the lot owners.

Assisted by his lawyer Inocencio de la Cerna, Ramos said the City Council passed a series of resolutions in 2015 reclassifying the lots comprised of 80,150 square meters owned by Lorenzo and Alvin Laohoo from agricultural to residential land.

The reclassified total market value of the property procured by the City Government was only P69.14 million. (GMD)