Due to “insufficient” evidence, the graft charges filed against former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar D. Albayalde have been dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).
Albayalde allegedly intervened in an illegal drugs operation conducted by his men in 2013 in Pampanga when he was the head of the province’s PNP.
The OMB’s ruling set aside the recommendation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to charge Albayalde with graft.
It said that the evidence presented was “insufficient to establish proof of any unlawful act or omission on P/Gen Albayalde's part.”
It also pointed out that the evidence presented “is not only tainted with procedural lapses, but also failed to establish criminal liability on his part.”
At the same time, the OMB stressed that the amended complaint filed against the former PNP chief violated his right to be informed of the accusation against him.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Albayalde welcomed the dismissal of his graft charges.
“On behalf of my family, I would like to extend my gratitude to all the people who have supported us through these trying times,” he said.
“It has been especially hard on my children who were immensely hurt by these false accusations.”
He said the decision of the DOJ and the OMB “is a concrete validation of what I've always insisted, that these personal attacks were baseless and without evidence.”