ILOILO CITY – The Sandiganbayan junked the graft case filed against Antique Gov. Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao and lifted her 90-day preventive suspension.
CADIAO (Tara Yap)
In a copy of the decision obtained by Manila Bulletin, the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division ruled that there is lack of jurisdiction against the indictment of Cadiao for allegedly violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The Sandiganbayan also lifted the September 21 suspension order against her.
“Duro duro gid nga salamat sa inyo pangamuyo kag pagpalangga nga wara gid nag lubad! (Thank you very much to everyone for the prayers and the love!)” said Cadiao in a statement.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Antonio dela Vega, then chief of the Antique Provincial General Services Office.
In the initial complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, Dela Vega accused Cadiao of refusing to sign his daily time record that allegedly lead to the failure of the release of P1.6 million in representation and transportation allowances (RATA) and other benefits for 2016 to 2018.
The 16-page resolution granted Cadiao’s motion for reconsideration stating that the Regional Trial Court has jurisdiction over the criminal case and not the Sandiganbayan as the claims “does not allege any damage to the government or any bribery.”
“In sum, therefore, it is the Regional Trial Court which has exclusive original jurisdiction to try the criminal case,” the decision signed by Associate Justice Maria Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta said.