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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 11 ex-town officials plead guilty to lesser offense; escape prison term

11 ex-town officials plead guilty to lesser offense; escape prison term

Published Apr 29, 2021 02:47 pm

Sandiganbayan

Eleven former officials of Cantilan town in Surigao del Sur have pleaded guilty to a lesser offense than graft and have been ordered to pay a fine of P3,000 each and to restitute the government in the amount of P220,000.

Had they been convicted of graft, they would have been sentenced to a prison term ranging from six to 10 years with perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

In a resolution, the Sandiganbayan allowed the plea bargaining of former councilor Reynaldo A. Orpina, barangay captain Marlyn R. Plaza, municipal treasurer Anita L. Paradiang, clerk II Luis Arreza Daano, meat inspector II Eutemio Plaza Urbiztondo, municipal accountant Ronaldo M. Gruyal and former bids and awards committee (BAC) members Augusto M. Duero, Marilou C. Cosmiano, Ruben A. Liwagon, D. Urbiztondo Pasco, George R. Arreza

Together with the late former mayor Tomasa Luga Guardo whose case was dismissed on account of her death, the 11 former town officials were charged with graft in connection with the purchase of one farm tractor from Golden Harvest Global Corporation for P2,200,000 in 2005.

The criminal complaint filed against them stated that they paid for the tractor despite "attendant irregularities" such as failure to conduct a post-qualification prior to the declaration of the winning bidder, which is a violation of the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184, the Government Procurement Act.

In their motion to enter into plea bargaining, they agreed to pay back the government P220,000 if allowed to plead guilty to the lesser offense under Article 213 of the Revised Penal Code and pay a fine of P3,000 or such amount the court would order.

The prosecution told the court that based on its computation, the injury suffered by the government in the transaction was P220,000.

"Considering the plea of guilty of accused... to the crime defined and penalized under paragraph 1, Article 213 of the Revised Penal Code, they are hereby found guilty of the said crime," the Sandiganbayan’s resolution written by Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje Tang.

Article 213 of the RPC deals on “frauds against public treasury and other offenses,” a lighter offense than violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act under Republic Act No. 3019.

Associate Justices Bernelito R. Fernandez and Ronald B. Moreno concurred in the resolution.

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