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Ex-LWUA admin Pichay reacts to graft conviction

Philippines

Ex-LWUA admin Pichay reacts to graft conviction

By Seth Cabanban

Outgoing Surigao Del Sur 1st district Rep. Prospero Pichay has issued a statement countering the Sandigbayan’s conviction of him for multiple charges of graft.

Prospero A. Pichay Jr.

Read more here: https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/09/ex-lwua-administrator-pichay-convicted-in-2009-purchase-of-express-savings-bank/

“The constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty can be overthrown only by proof beyond reasonable doubt. Well-entrenched in jurisprudence is the rule that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. This is a case of conspiracy for allegedly violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019. Originally, there were 22 accused in this case which is why the recent decision of the Sandiganbayan came as a surprise,” said Pichay in a statement on Thursday, June 9.

Pichay, formerly an administrator of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), was convicted of three charges of graft by the Sandigbayan following the LWUA’s purchase of the Express Savings Bank, Inc. (ESBI) in 2009.

LWUA Acting Deputy Administrator Wilfredo Feleo was also convicted.

“It is noteworthy that even the dispositive portion of the decision admits that no civil liability is adjudged against me in view of the fact that LWUA public funds invested in ESBI is under receivership and liquidation of the PDIC. So it is baffling: how can there be undue injury to the government?” he asked.

“I am now discussing with my lawyers our next course of action but definitely, I am determined to exhaust all possible legal remedies accorded to me by law,” the solon concluded.

Pichay filed for reelection in the 2022 polls as Surigao del Sur's 1st district representative but lost to rival independent candidate Romeo Momo.

Read more here: https://mb.com.ph/2022/02/16/pichay-highlights-junking-of-dq-case-from-old-poll-rival/

Related Tags

60922 esbi express savings bank inc Sandiganbayan local waters utilities administration LWUA graft prospero pichay conviction

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