SBMA Chair Eisma faces graft complaint before Ombudsman

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairperson Wilma Eisma is now facing a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for supposedly violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

A complaint filed by lawyer Raymund Palad on Monday, August 13, claimed that Eisma failed divest herself of shareholdings in TECO Philippines—a home appliances manufacturer and locator in SBMA.

TECO Philippines operates facilities in Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s Subic Bay Gateway Park.

“Atty. Eisma’s name appeared in TECO’s General Information Sheet (GIS) submitted with SEC on June 16, 2017 as stockholder owning twenty-five shares of TECO, an SBMA locator, and was even appointed as member of company’s Board of Directors while being the Administrator of SBMA,” the complaint alleged.

Section 3 (h) of the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act prohibits public officials to directly or indirectly have interest in any business, contract, or transaction in connection with which she or he intervenes or takes part in an official capacity.

GMA News Online has contacted Eisma’s office for the SBMA chair to comment on the matter, but no response has been received as of this posting.

The complaint claimed that Eisma acquired more shares from TECO and had herself elected as member of its board.

“In short, Atty. Eisma now receives salaries, compensation and benefits from the locator private company TECO and at the same time enjoys all the salaries and benefits that go along for being the SBMA Chairperson and Administrator,” the complaint alleged.

Palad called for a review of Eisma’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

“Finally, with all due respect, considering the seriousness of the charges, it is prayed that a preventive suspension be immediately issued against Atty. Eisma pending investigation,” the complaint read. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News