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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-lawmaker Valdez, Napoles acquitted of plunder; convicted of other crimes

Ex-lawmaker Valdez, Napoles acquitted of plunder; convicted of other crimes

Published Oct 2, 2023 10:38 am

The Sandiganbayan acquitted former Party-List legislator Edgar De Leon Valdez and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles of their plunder charges but convicted them of other criminal charges.

During a promulgation held Monday, Oct. 2, the anti-graft court convicted Valdez of nine counts of direct bribery, while Napoles was found guilty of nine counts of corruption of public officials.

Both of them were sentenced to a prison term ranging from two years to six years for each count of direct bribery, in the case of Valdez, and for each count of corruption of public officials, in the case of Napoles.

Also, both of them were ordered to pay a fine of P26,996,700 each.

Their criminal charges arose from the misuse of Valdez’s P57.78 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2004 to 2010.

Valdez was accused of receiving kickback from his PDAF allocations which were released to the non-government organizations (NGOs) of Napoles like the Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation, Inc. (MAMFI); Philippine Social Development Foundation, Inc. (PSDFI); and Social Development Program for Farmer's Foundation Inc. (SDPFFFI).

A copy of the anti-graft court’s decision was not available as of posting.

 

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