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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandiganbayan archives cases vs 'ailing' ex-Pampanga Rep. Ducut

Sandiganbayan archives cases vs 'ailing' ex-Pampanga Rep. Ducut

Published Jun 22, 2022 02:30 pm

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The Sandiganbayan has agreed to archive the graft and malversation cases filed against former Pampanga Rep. Zenaida G. Cruz Ducut after she was found to be "incompetent to stand trial."

Ducut, who was also an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson, filed a motion to suspend proceedings as she cited her "impaired cognitive abilities and diminished capacity."

She told the court she suffered a series of strokes and was admitted to different hospitals in 2019, and her doctors concluded that her condition is "suggestive of mild dementia, probable vascular dementia."

In a resolution dated last June 14, the Sandiganbayan granted Ducut’s motion.

"Putting a legally incompetent person on trial or convicting and sentencing him is a violation of his right to due process of law and fair trial," the court said.

"There is little that may be achieved by Ducut's appearance in court considering that neither the Court nor the prosecution and counsels for co-accused have the expertise to evaluate her mental condition by themselves," it said.

It also said Ducut should have an annual mental examination every June in order to assess her wellbeing, and her doctor's findings should be submitted to the court.

Ducut is the co-accused of Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy B. Biazon -- who is facing one count each of graft, malversation, and direct bribery -- in relation to the alleged misuse of his P3 million priority development assistance fund (PDAF) back in 2007.

Biazon allegedly pocketed P1.9 million in public funds after he reportedly collaborated with businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles to support her bogus foundation called the Philippine Social Development Foundation (PSDFI). Ducut, on the other hand, allegedly served as an "agent" for Napoles in the House of Representatives.

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