The Sandiganbayan has approved the plea bargaining agreement between government prosecutors and former Iloilo 2nd District Rep. Judy J. Syjuco after her payment of more than P5.9 million as full restitution of the amounts involved in her graft and malversation charges.
With the approval, the anti-graft court sets Syjuco’s re-arraignment on Oct. 21 at 8:30 a.m. to plead for a lesser offense of Frauds Against Public Treasury under Article 213, paragraph 1, and Failure to Render Account by an Accountable Officer under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code.
Plea bargaining is “a process of negotiation between the prosecution and defense in a criminal case whereby the accused – in return for leniency or a lighter sentence – agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offense.”
Syjuco was charged with violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Article 217 in relation to Articles 171 and 48 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) on malversation of public funds.
The charges arose from her purchase of 1,582 units of Nokia 1100 phones worth P5,964,859.09 for Region VI in 2005 allegedly without public bidding.
The Sandiganbayan had earlier approved Syjuco’s motion for plea bargaining but hold its approval subject to her compliance with her agreement with government prosecutors that she would restitute first the amount of P5.9 million.
She then deposited the amount to the court and pleaded for the approval of her plea bargaining.
"Wherefore, the Court notes the Manifestation filed by accused Judy Jalbuena Syjuco," the dispositive portion of the Oct. 3 resolution stated.
"Accordingly, the Court hereby grants the Motion for Plea Bargaining... filed by the prosecution and accused Syjuco, and approves the Plea Bargaining Agreement dated June 1, 2022," the Sandiganbayan ruled.
The three-page resolution was written by Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang with the concurrence of Associate Justices Bernelito R. Fernandez and Ronald B. Moreno.
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