Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez and 12 other city officials charged with plunder

Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez together with 12 other city officials are being charged with plunder in relation to an alleged P400M discount they gave to a certain company for real property taxes way back in 2013.

Photo care of ABS-CBN

Filed this morning by former barangay councilor Jonathan Bernardo, the case stems from the city officials supposedly favoring the Wenceslao Group by giving a significant tax settlement.

Several sources identified the chairman of the company as Delfin Wenceslao, who is also said to be the godfather of Olivarez.

Photo care of ABS-CBN

Bernardo stated in his complaint that the Wenceslao Group was only asked to pay some P269,892,166.81 instead of P723,266,867.49 for real property taxes or a discount of a little over 62%.

Also included in the complaint as respondents are city councilors Rufino Allanigue, John Ryan Yllana, Merlies Antipuesto, Vincent Kenneth Favis, Florencia Amurao, Brillante Inciong, Roselle Nava-Tan, Joan Villafuerte, Maritess De Asis and Jacqueline Bustamante-Mendoza plus city legal officer Rommel Frias and city treasurer Anthony Pulmano.

We will keep you guys updated on this matter.