Nine counts of graft were filed on Friday against Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera before the Sandiganbayan.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that the anti-graft body’s prosecutors filed graft cases against Rivera over alleged conflict of interest.
‘He’s a congtractor,’ Remulla said of Rivera, using a portmanteau of the words ‘congressman’ and ‘contractor.’
The defunct Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended to the Ombudsman the filing of criminal and administrative cases against Rivera for having alleged ties with contractors that obtained contracts from the government.
Rivera reportedly has ties with Tarlac 3-G Construction and Development Corporation.
Government prosecutors indicted Rivera for violation of Section 3(h) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits government officials from having direct or indirect financial interest in any business, contract, or transaction in which they intervene or take part in their official capacity.
One count each of Rivera’s graft case has been raffled to the First, Second, and Fourth divisions of the Sandiganbayan, while the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh divisions got two counts each.
Rivera has yet to issue a statement on this matter.