MANILA - A local official in Batangas has filed charges against his brother before the Office of the Ombudsman over allegations of corruption.

Vice Mayor Charlie Natanauan of Talisay, Batangas filed cases of graft, gross misconduct, and neglect of duty against his brother, Mayor Gerry Natanauan, citing an unfinished municipal hall costing P140 million.

The mayor also allegedly used resources of the city hall for personal needs, and that some projects did not go through bidding, resulting in 22 anomalous projects worth P37 million, said the vice mayor.

The city hall project was loaned under Veteran’s Bank. The full amount was already disbursed but the project remained unfinished. The people of Talisay pay P1.7 million monthly for the loan.

Gerry's actions, Charlie said, marred their family's reputation.

“Dapat lalabanan ko siyang mayor. Ang mga magulang at kapatid ko po ay nakiusap [sa akin] na mag-step down sa vice mayor,” said Charlie.

“Kaya ko siya lalabanan kasi ayoko po na nasisira ang aming apelyido,” he said.

(I was supposed to run for mayor but our family was against it. Now I'm filing charges because I don't want him to destroy our reputation.)