Raps filed against two former mayors

An official of Daanbantayan town, north Cebu on Friday filed two graft complaints against former mayor Ma. Luisa Loot and her son,  Cebu Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura, for allegedly favoring a relative’s food concessionaire and manipulating public documents several years ago.

Rossani Luche, acting administrator of Daanbantayan and secretary of Mayor Augusto Corro, requested the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas to investigate.

Luche alleged that Loot and her son gave “undue advantage” to their relative Caridad Pepito, owner  of Louise Marvi Beach Resort, who supplied food, drinks and accommodations to various parties using municipal funds “on countless” occasions. The resort owner was described as a relative of Loot “within the fourth civil degree.” Other business establishments were shut out during the years Loot and Shimura served as town mayors, said the complainant.

Luche also accused the mother and son of manipulating Disbursement Vouchers for the release of payments to private individuals and entities.
In the 2016 election, the Loot family, aligned with One Cebu, is expected to field a candidate to try recapture the mayor’s post from Corro who, is seeking reelection under the Liberal Party.

Loot’s husband, newly retired police official Vicente Loot, is being considered, according to the latest reports.