Former PNP chief Nazareno, 2 others cleared in P20.16-M ‘ghost’ projects

The Sandiganbayan’s fifth division cleared the late Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Cesar Nazareno and two other retired police officers yesterday of involvement in the alleged ghost purchases of P20.16 million worth of combat, clothing and individual equipment (CCIE) 13 years ago.

In a 50-page decision penned by Associate Justice Roland Jurado, the anti-graft court held that the prosecution only proved that there was an anomaly in the handling of government funds but failed to provide evidence to support its allegation that the defendants were connected to the crime. Associate Justices Ma. Cristina Cortez-Estrada and Teresita Diaz-Baldos concurred.

"It is very sad and disheartening that no one is punished for the loss of millions of pesos from the treasury of the government, so huge an amount that could have benefited the police officers and men who serve and protect the Filipino people. However, the constitutionally enshrined presumption of innocence of the accused cannot be worth a price tag," the court declared.

Acquitted with Nazareno were retired police director Guillermo Domondon, who was PNP comptroller at the time, and retired Superintendent Salvador Manga Jr., who was then chief comptroller for PNP Region 8.

The case was filed before the Sandiganbayan on Feb. 2, 1994, and accused the three officials of illegally drawing 48 disbursement vouchers for a total amount of P20,160,000 from August to October 1992 for the combat and personal supplies of police personnel under PNP-Regional Command 8 although the allocation for these items was only P6 million under the "maintenance operating expenditures."

Three prosecution witnesses testified that Manga received the entire amount and their claim was supported by a memorandum receipt for cash advance dated Aug. 18, 1992 signed by him.

But the Sandiganbayan accepted Manga’s defense that his alleged signature on the receipt was a forgery.

Several witnesses presented by the defense also testified that Manga was attending a peace dialogue in Villareal, Western Samar at the time the memorandum receipt was signed.