Balabagan mayor cleared of corruption charges, resumes COVID-19 vax rollout

Mayor Edna Ogka-Benito of Balabagan, Lanao del Sur (right photo). With her husband, Hji. Fahad Benito, a retired police officer, they received the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, along with other 543 eligible residents of the said municipality (left photo).

BALABAGAN, Lanao del Sur – The local chief executive here, Mayor Edna Ogka- Benito, was acquitted of corruption charges after Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Rafael Lagos decided to dismiss the case due to lack of strong evidences.

A corruption case was filed by previous Municipal Budget Officer Sarahlyn Masbud against Mayor Benito for allegedly depriving Masbud of her salary in 2004 and replaced her after the latter was unable to present her original appointment paper.

According to the office where Masbud had worked, she was declared AWOL or absent without official leave.

Meanwhile, this municipality, through the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of Lanao del Sur, continued the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Under the leadership of Dr. Jasmin Bacarat of IPHO-Lanao del Sur, a total of 543 eligible individuals were inoculated on Thursday, July 15. Also, 100 individuals received their first dose of Astrazeneca vaccine on same day.

Mayor Benito expressed her gratitude to the IPHO-Lanao del Sur headed by Dr. Alinader D. Minalang for their prompt and efficient assistance to successfully conduct the vaccination program.

“I thank the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Lanao del Sur their assistance and guidance in implementing the COVID-19 vaccination program in this locality,” she said. (Anne B. Acosta)