Sandigan sustains Durano’s graft conviction

CEBU, Philippines —  The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division stood by its earlier decision finding former tourism secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano and five others guilty of graft and sentenced them to suffer six years of imprisonment with accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office due to anomalous purchase of P2.7 million worth of wall calendar in 2008.

The anti-graft court dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by Durano and his co-accused seeking to reverse their conviction for lack of merit.

On November 2021, the Sandiganbayan convicted Durano, DOT Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab, Grace Yoro, Eduardo Jarque Jr., Evelyn Cajigal and Adriana Flor, who all served as bids and awards committee (BAC) members, for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In a decision promulgated on January 18, 2022, the Sandiganbayan said "it is clearly established and even admitted by Durano, et al. that they did not follow GPRA (Government Procurement Reform Act).”

The court ruled that all the accused “grossly disregarded the law and were remiss in their duties by not observing or even attempting to observe the directives of the GPRA which resulted to undue benefits to PDP Digital.”

PDP Digital was the contractor awarded with the contract without having to go through a public competitive bidding.

 The anti-graft court has reminded all government officials to ensure that they are compliant with the rules and regulation especially when it comes to disbursement of public funds.

 “The GPRA has been in effect since January 26, 2003. It was not a new law when the project was undertaken. It confounds the Court how none herein accused apparently knew or understood their tasks,” reads the decision penned by Associate Justice Georgina Hidalgo.

Reacting to the dismissal of his motion for reconsideration, Durano said the development was “just part of the process.”

He vowed to avail of all legal remedies available to him contending that the decision is not yet final and executory. Durano said his legal team is planning to make an appeal before the Supreme Court.

“We’re optimistic that we will attain a favorable response because we’re confident that the project in question when I was DOT secretary over a decade ago went through the proper process,” Durano said. — FPL (FREEMAN)