Former Tiwi Councilor Faces Estafa Charges
A former municipal councilor from Tiwi town in Albay is now facing estafa charges following a recent ruling by the provincial prosecutor’s office. Authorities clarified that robbery charges were dismissed after a thorough investigation.
John Bron was apprehended during an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on August 8. He was accused of demanding PHP 320,000 in exchange for processing an ore transport permit (OTP), a move that triggered the legal proceedings.
Robbery Allegations Dismissed, Estafa Cited Instead
The entrapment operation was initiated after a complaint was filed in July alleging robbery, extortion, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019). However, in an official resolution dated August 8, the Albay Office of the Provincial Prosecutor found no evidence of violence or intimidation, essential elements for robbery charges.
According to the resolution, “The investigating prosecutor finds the respondent liable for the crime of estafa and not for robbery in view of the absence of the element of violence and/or intimidation in this case.”
Details of the Estafa Case
Officials explained that the complainant intended from the outset to hand over the marked money to Bron to facilitate the OTP release. This intention was the basis of the entrapment operation.
Under Article 315, Paragraph 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code, estafa involves deceit through false pretenses or fraudulent representation. The prosecutor emphasized that Bron falsely claimed authority and power to process and release the OTP, which induced the complainant to transfer the PHP 320,000.
“The respondent’s false pretense of having authority and/or power to transact, process and release the OTP was committed prior to and simultaneous with the commission of the fraud,” the prosecutor noted. This deceitful act was key to establishing the estafa charge.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Set
The provincial prosecutor resolved to file formal estafa charges against Bron before the Municipal Trial Court of Daraga, Albay. The bail was set at PHP 18,000 to secure his temporary release pending trial.
Political Background and Election Results
Before his arrest, Bron sought election to the Sangguniang Bayan of Tiwi, running under the PDP-Laban party. He placed 15th in the local elections, according to community members who followed the race closely.
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