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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Guilty verdict affirmed vs. ex-mayor, town treasurer

Guilty verdict affirmed vs. ex-mayor, town treasurer

Published Mar 11, 2021 02:11 pm

The Sandiganbayan stood pat on its Dec. 4, 2020 decision that convicted former Mayor Aniceto Lopez Jr. and former treasurer Moises Magallona Jr. of Maasim town in Sarangani province for collecting from motorboat and fishing boat owners in 2005 P75 sticker fees which were not authorized by a municipal ordinance.

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

In a resolution written by Associate Justice Kevin Narce B. Vivero, the anti-graft court denied the motion filled by Lopez and Magallona on Dec. 18, 2020.

Lopez and Magallona were convicted of illegal exaction and were sentenced to a prison term ranging from two years, four months and one day to a maximum of eight years. They were perpetually disqualified to hold public office and fined P6,000 each.

In their motion for reconsideration, Lopez and Magallona claimed that the court erred in finding there was conspiracy to commit the offense. In the case of Magallona, he alleged that he had no direct participation in the collection of the sticker fees.

Resolving the issue, the Sandiganbayan said their motions should be denied “for lack of sufficient grounds to reverse the questioned decision."

It said the prosecution was able to prove the conspiracy between Lopez and Magallona since the former issued the memorandum which was implemented by the latter.

The court pointed out that the prosecution was able to establish that the two officials demanded and collected P75 fee per sticker during the registration of motorboats and fishing boats from January to June 2005, even if the sticker fee was not authorized under Municipal Tax Ordinance No. 04-003.

Associate Justices Sarah Jane t. Fernandez and Karl B. Miranda concurred in the dismissal of the motion for reconsideration.

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