5 ex-transport officials get 10 years for graft

MANILA, Philippines — Five former transportation officials have been convicted of graft and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison over the anomalous purchase of cell phones worth almost P6 million in 2005.

In a 173-page decision, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division found then Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) directors Elmer Soneja, Venancio Santidad, Ildefonso Patdu Jr., Rebecca Cacatian and legal officer Geronimo Quintos guilty of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Businessman Domingo Samuel Jonathan Ng of the West Island Beverages Distributor was also convicted.

The anti-graft court sentenced them to a maximum of 10 years in prison and perpetually disqualified them from public office.

Former Iloilo representative Judy Syjuco entered into a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to defrauding the public treasury.

Syjuco deposited P5.9 million to the Sandiganbayan and paid a fine of P16,000. Her bail was returned and the hold departure order against her was lifted.

Former DOTC official Purificacion Desiderio Jr. and former storekeeper Antonio Cruz were acquitted. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of former DOTC assistant secretary Domingo Reyes.

The ombudsman filed the cases against the former transport officials over the ghost purchase and delivery of 1,582 units of Nokia 1100, amounting to about P5.9 million, in December 2004.