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Denial of pleas to dismiss graft, malversation charges vs Napoles, ex-DAR official affirmed

Philippines | National

Denial of pleas to dismiss graft, malversation charges vs Napoles, ex-DAR official affirmed

By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki

Sandiganbayan

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its ruling that denied the motions of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Finance Director Teresita L. Panlilio to dismiss the graft and malversation of public funds filed against them involving P50 million.

Napoles and Panlilio were charged with 10 counts of graft and 10 counts of malversation.

The prosecution claimed they acted in conspiracy with former DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Jerry E. Pacturan, Chief Accountant Rowena U. Agbayani, and private individuals Evelyn de Leon and Ronald John Lim Jr. when they allegedly diverted P50 million to the fake non-government organizations owned by Napoles -- the Ginintuang Alay sa Magsasaka Foundation, Inc. (GAMFI) and Philippine Social Development Foundation, Inc. (PSDFI).

Their first motions to dismiss the charges were denied by the Sandiganbayan last Aug. 30. They filed their motions for reconsideration.

Last Sept. 14, the anti-graft court’s sixth division ruled that “there is nothing in accused Napoles and Panlilio's respective motions for reconsideration that would warrant the reversal of the resolutions."

The ruling was written by Sixth Division Chairperson Sarah Jane T. Fernandez with the concurrence of Associate Justices Kevin Narce B. Vivero and Georgina D. Hidalgo.

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