The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today announced the arrest of a Cebu City local government employee in Cebu City by the NBI-Central Visayas Regional Office (NBI-CEVRO) for Graft and Corruption.

NBI Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Director Eric B. Distor identified the subject as KARA MARIE ARCILLA BARGAMENTO.

Director Distor said that the operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a vendor alleging that Subject Bargamento is a regular employee of the local government of Cebu City and Officer-In-Charge of Freedom Park Market in Cebu City. According to the complainant, Subject Bargamento is in charge with the assignment of market stalls and allegedly, the Subject unlawfully sells the right to the market stalls situated in prime locations. The right to market stalls are assigned free of charge and should have never been sold because it is a public market.

The complainant also added that Subject Bargamento assured her that if she can hand in the payment of Php 100,000.00, she could own a stall of her own choice situated on her desired location. On November 23, 2021, thru Facebook Messenger the complainant and the Subject agreed to meet the following day for the payment of Php 100,000.00.

Thus, on November 24, 2021, NBI-CEVRO together with the complainant proceeded to the agreed meeting place. After the complainant gave the marked money to the subject, NBI-CEVRO operatives immediately approached Subject Bargamento and announced her arrest.
Subject Bargamento was presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Cebu for violation of Sections 3 (b) and (c) of R.A. 3019, otherwise known as the “Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act”.