Pichay, 2 others acquitted of graft over P1.5-M chess tourney in Sandiganbayan reversal

The Sandiganbayan has overturned its October 2020 graft conviction of Surigao del Sur Representative Prospero Pichay Jr. and two others over their P1.5-million sponsorship of a chess tournament in 2010. 

Pichay and former Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) officials Emmanuel Malicdem and Wilfredo Feleo were acquitted of graft and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees when the anti-graft court granted their motion for reconsideration.

The case stemmed from the allocation of P1.5 million from the LWUA’s budget to the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in December 2010. At the time, Pichay was both acting chairman of the LWUA Board of Trustees and NCFP president.

In a 24-page resolution promulgated March 1, Associate Justice Maryann Corpus-Mañalac said the prosecution’s evidence was not enough to establish the partiality, bad faith, or negligence of Feleo and Malicdem.

The Sandiganbayan also said it did not find sufficient evidence to prove that the individuals who received permits from the three former LWUA officials received unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference.

“A re-evaluation of the facts and circumstances of the case shows that the conspiracy was not established beyond reasonable doubt,” it added.

As for the accused’s supposed violation of the code of conduct and ethical standards, the court said “the actual approval by accused Pichay of the 2010 sponsorship grant bears little significance to the case at bar.”

It also said the prosecution failed to prove that the extension of the sponsorship grant required the approval of Pichay’s office.

Associate Justices Rafael Lago and Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega concurred with the ruling.

Pichay, Malicdem, and Feleo were initially convicted of graft over the same case on October 23, 2020. — BM, GMA News