Sandigan junks criminal raps vs Taguig mayor

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has dismissed a criminal case filed against Taguig Mayor Laarni Cayetano for allegedly preventing the city council from holding legislative sessions in 2010.

In a decision promulgated on Dec. 11, the anti-graft court’s First Division junked the charges of violation of Article 143 of the Revised Penal Code against Cayetano and former city administrator Jose Montales for lack of probable cause.

The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz.

“There is no probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged to justify the issuance of warrants of arrest,” the decision read.

Last October, the Office of the Ombudsman indicted Cayetano and Montales over the alleged eviction of the city council from its venue for legislative sessions in August 2010.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales rejected the explanation made by the respondents that the sessions were transferred to the city auditorium because there was a reorganization of city hall offices at the time.

In dismissing the complaint, the Sandiganbayan ruled that Montales had informed then vice mayor George Elias and the entire legislative body three days before the city council’s session on Aug. 16, 2010 that the city government was implementing a re-engineering, causing some offices to be closed.

Records show that a second letter was sent to the city council informing the legislative body that the city auditorium has been reserved for their use.

“The city council was not prevented by the respondents, either by force or fraud, to conduct its session on the date material to this case,” the Sandiganbayan said.