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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandigan acquits ex-Iloilo town mayor, 2 others

Sandigan acquits ex-Iloilo town mayor, 2 others

Published Sep 3, 2022 01:20 pm

Sandiganbayan

Former mayor Neptali P. Salcedo of Sara town in Iloilo and two other municipal officials have been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of graft and malversation charges for alleged irregular disbursement of public funds.

Also acquitted were Municipal Treasurer Edna A. Pacrim and Municipal Engineer Roel C. Salcedo in the decision written by Sixth Division Chairperson Sarah Jane T. Fernandez. Associate Justices Karl B. Miranda and Kevin Narce B. Vivero concurred in the ruling.

The three town officials were charged with 46 counts of violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and 46 counts of violations of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) on malversation of public funds through falsification.

The prosecution claimed the town officials disbursed public funds despite insufficient documentation. It alleged that their signatures in the Time Book and Payrolls for various projects showed that the named payees received their wages amounting to P1,834,400 even if no payment was actually made.

During the trial, no witnesses were presented by the prosecution to testify on the procedure for the payment of the claimants.

The Sandiganbayan said: "The prosecution did not present and offer the pertinent disbursement vouchers in evidence. Thus, this Court has no basis for determining the accused's participation therein.”

Also, the court said there was no evidence that showed that the persons listed did not render service in connection with the projects indicated in the documents.

"The prosecution failed to prove the damage suffered by the government, or by any person for that matter. As previously discussed, the prosecution failed to prove that the projects were fictitious or non-existent," the court added.

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