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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-Bislig City mayor, 11 others acquitted in P14.7-M equipment purchase in 2012

Ex-Bislig City mayor, 11 others acquitted in P14.7-M equipment purchase in 2012

Published Feb 23, 2022 12:30 pm

Sandiganbayan

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Mayor Librado C. Navarro of Bislig City in Surigao del Sur and 11 others of their graft charge in relation to the purchase of a P14.75 million hydraulic excavator in 2012.

Also acquitted were then City Administrator Charlito R. Lerog, City Treasurer Roberto V. Viduya, City Planning and Development Coordinator Aprodecio A. Alba Jr., General Services Officer Felipe P. Sabaldan Jr., City Budget Officer-in-Charge Belma K. Lomantas, City Legal Officer Daisy A. Ronquillo, City Accountant Raquel L. Bautista, and Technical Working Group members Gilbert P. Abugan, Laila P. Manlucob, Estefa R. Mata, and private individual Cesar B. Ner from RDAK Transport Equipment, Inc.

The case against their co-accused, City Engineer OIC Lorna S. Salgado, had been ordered dismissed due to her death on Sept. 3, 2019.

The charges against them for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, stemmed from the purchase of a Komatsu crawler-type hydraulic excavator from RDAK on July 18, 2012.

The Commission on Audit (COA) Evaluation Report showed that the project was awarded to RDAK despite non-compliance with the technical specifications concerning the engine power, bucket capacity, and operating weight.

Because of these alleged irregularities, the COA issued a Notice of Disallowance on Oct. 23, 2012.

The Sandiganbayan said the prosecution failed to prove that the accused committed manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence in the transaction.

Also, the court said, the prosecution failed to prove that the accused manipulated the Post-Qualification Evaluation Report to favor RDAK considering that the delivered unit was compliant with all the required specifications.

The court said: "Indeed, suspicion no matter how strong must never sway judgment. Where there is reasonable doubt, the accused must be acquitted even though their innocence may not have been established.”

The 56-page decision was written by Associate Justice Michael Frederick L. Musngi with the concurrence of Associate Justices Oscar C. Herrera Jr. and Bayani H. Jacinto.

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