Sandigabayan junks graft raps vs Abalos over P1.7-M vehicle purchases

The Sandiganbayan junked graft charges against former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos in connection with a P1.7 million purchase of two Toyota Revo vehicles in 2003 due to the prosecution’s failure to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In a 42-page ruling, the anti-graft court said that while procurement of the said vehicles violated the Procurement law, the prosecution did not present evidence proving Abalos acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or was guilty of gross inexcusable negligence.

“The prosecution failed to prove that the commission of the act complained of accused Abalos, Sr. was animated by material and personal gain, or acted with malice, perverse motive, ill will or fraud sufficient to meet the requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” the Sandiganbayan said.

Further, the Sandiganbayan noted that Abalos Sr. relied in good faith on the propriety of the modality of procurement adopted by the officers of the Comelec which was also duly approved by the Comelec En Banc.

“As a government official, Abalos, Sr. is presumed to have acted in good faith and this presumption was not overturned by the prosecution,” the Sandiganbayan said.

"The standard of culpability imposed by Anti Graft and Corrupt Practice Act is quite high which was not hurdled by the evidence presented against the accused. Verily, the evidence for the prosecution failed to satisfy the requisite proof to demonstrate the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt," the anti-graft court added. — DVM, GMA News