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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandiganbayan acquits private individual in ex-lawmaker's P5.85-M PDAF

Sandiganbayan acquits private individual in ex-lawmaker's P5.85-M PDAF

Published Sep 8, 2025 03:01 pm
The Sandiganbayan has acquitted a private individual of graft, malversation of public funds, and falsification for her alleged involvement in the reported misuse of the P5.85 million priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of former La Union 2nd district congressman Thomas de Lara Dumpit Jr.
Acquitted was Marilou C. Ferrer of the Kabuhayan at Kalusugang Alay sa Masa Foundation, Inc. (KKAMFI) when the anti-graft granted her demurrer to evidence.
Earlier in its Nov. 28, 2023 decision, the Sandiganbayan had acquitted Dumpit and officials of the Technology Resource Center (TRC) and NGO Aaron Foundation Philippines, Inc. (AFPI) of the same charges for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The court ruled that the evidence of the prosecution was "bereft of any proof that accused Dumpit received money as a result of the PDAF transactions, or from any of the NGOs mentioned." There was also no evidence that would prove that Dump's co-accused took public funds and appropriated the money for their own benefit.
The charges were filed in the selection of KKAMFI by Dumpit as "project partner" in the implementation of livelihood development projects involving the procurement of Livelihood Technology Kits for farmers in his district.
However, the prosecution claimed it was done without undergoing public bidding. KKAMFI was also discovered to be unqualified to undertake the projects.
The prosecution accused Ferrer, as corporate secretary, of noting the Project Proposal and Work and Financial Plan that showed that the projects were implemented even though they were not.
However, the court said in its resolution that the act of "noting" both documents does not convey Ferrer's approval, nor can it be considered as proof that she had any participation in KKAMFI's selection to implement the projects in question.
The anti-graft court also said that it was necessary for the prosecution to prove that Ferrer performed some overt act in direct or indirect contribution to the execution of the offenses committed.
Without proper evidence to pin Ferrer down, the court said it cannot simply presume her participation in the alleged conspiracy.
The court ruled: "The prosecution's evidence is simply insufficient to establish accused Ferrer's liability for the charges filed against her. The only recourse then, is to grant accused Ferrer's demurrer to evidence.”
Demurrer to evidence is a pleading filed in a criminal case by an accused on alleged weakness of prosecution’s evidence. If granted by the court, the accused is acquitted.
The 22-page resolution dated Sept. 2 was written by Associate Justice Bayani H. Jacinto with the concurrence of Chairperson Associate Justice Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega and Associate Justice Juliet M. Manalo-San Gaspar.
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