Judge Vedasto Marco, of Branch 41 of the Manila City Regional Trial Court (MCRTC), dismissed the murder charge against Macalalag, who was accused of killing a barangay tanod (watchman) 10 years ago.
His co-accused and alleged accomplice, Sonny Cacalda, was sentenced to imprisonment of 12 to 13 years.
Cacalda was also asked to pay the heirs of the victim, Alberto Quiatzon, an indemnity worth P50,000. His decision to voluntarily surrender helped convince the court to reduce the murder charges pressed against him to homicide.
Macalalag was also accused of masterminding the April 30, 1996 murder of human rights lawyer Clarence Agarao, the husband of Carina, president of the Crusade Against Violence (CAV) and lawyer of Quiatzon.
In a 31-page decision Judge Marco said that no evidence was presented by the prosecution showing that the accused directly induced Cacalda to commit the crime."
While there were witnesses who attested that the former Lumban mayor was inside the room where Quiatzon was killed, there was no direct testimony showing that he conspired with Cacalda to shoot the victim.
The case was initially handled by a Sta. Cruz, Laguna court but was later transferred to MCRTC Branch 27 Judge Teresa Soriaso.
Soriaso dismissed the murder charges against eight other accused but retained the charges against Cacalda and Macalalag. She, however, allowed the Mayor to post bail.The prosecution assailed her decision and filed an appeal before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, which overturned her decision.
After years of being a fugitive, Macalalag voluntarily surrendered on June 3, 2003 on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued on April 23 of the same year.