Ex-congressman cleared of graft, malversation raps

MANILA, Philippines — Former Malabon-Navotas representative Ricky Sandoval has been cleared of graft and technical malversation charges by the Sandiganbayan in connection with his office’s allegedly questionable purchase of a shredder worth P3 million.

“For failure of the prosecution to prove the existence of the elements of the crime as charged, it therefore follows that the dismissal of the case is warranted,” the anti-graft court’s Second Division declared, absolving Sandoval of irregularities.

The decision was approved by Sandiganbayan Justices Oscar Herrera, Michael Frederick Musngi and Arthur Malabaguio.

The court dismissed for lack of evidence the complaints filed against Sandoval and his 10 co-defendants, mostly former officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit IV.

“In both cases (graft and technical malversation), the evidence presented by the prosecution failed to establish the guilt of the defendants,” Malabaguio, who wrote the decision, said.

Also cleared of the charges were former DA officials Dennis Araullo, Juvylee Obice, Raymundo Braganza, Lourdes Imperial, Abelardo Bragas, Felix Ramos, Ofelia Montilla, Gregorio Sangalang, Balagtas Torres and Remus Villanueva, president of the shredder supplier LCV Design and Fabrication Corp.

Government prosecutors based the charges on a Commission on Audit report that direct contracting is unlawful because the LCV Design’s patent application for the shredder has not yet been approved by the Intellectual Property Office.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor also accused Sandoval and his co-defendants of overpricing on the basis that there were similar shredders in the market at much lower cost.