Sandigan affirms ex-mayor’s conviction

For killing political rival

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its ruling convicting former mayor Reynolan Sales of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte of homicide for killing his political rival, former mayor Rafael Benemerito, in 1999.

In a 10-page resolution promulgated on Nov. 5, the anti-graft court’s fourth division said Sales and his co-accused were “unsucessful in advancing any new and substantial issue” in their respective motions to reverse its decision promulgated last July 6.

Police officers Celso Ragudo, Alfonso Cariaga and William Quiamas were convicted of the same offense. 

Sales was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years to a maximum of 17 years in prison. The police officers were meted a prison term of up to eight years.

The convicts were also ordered to pay a total of P199,099.05 in civil, moral, exemplary and actual damages to the heirs of the victim.

Sales was directed to pay half of the amount.

Based on the charge sheet, Sales shot Benemerito following an argument over quarrying in the municipality while the police officers just watched and gave their ”moral support.”

The court dismissed the claim of Sales that he only acted in self-defense because Benemerito shot him first using a rifle.

While Sales and the police officers presented an Armalite and bullet shells as their exhibits during the trial, the court said it was not proven that those were recovered at the crime scene. 

The court said the autopsy report, which showed that Benemerito suffered four gunshot wounds, two of which entered his right buttocks, refuted Sales’ claim of self-defense. 

The autopsy report confirmed the account of witnesses that Sales continuously fired at Benemerito as he tried to run away, the court added.

“Under the circumstances, it is rather hard to believe that... Sales was never hit nor grazed by even a single bullet from the purported Armalite... considering that... Benemerito was allegedly shooting him continuously at close range,” the Sandiganbayan ruling stated.

The resolution was penned by Associate Justice Reynaldo Cruz and concurred by Associate Justices Alex Quiroz and Bayani Jacinto.