Enough proof to convict ex-PRC chief over Baguio lease contract — Sandiganbayan

The prosecution's evidence against former Professional Regulatory Commission chairperson Teresita Manzala and four other PRC officials was enough to convict them of graft over a questionable lease contract they entered into in 2012, the Sandiganbayan said.

"After a careful study of the documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the prosecution, the Court finds that, if unrebutted, the same is sufficient to support a verdict of guilt for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019," the Sixth Division said in its resolution.

Manzala was accused of committing graft for issuing a letter of intent in July 2012 informing CTLL Building owner Ernesto Delos Santos that the PRC would lease a portion of his building on Kisad Road in Baguio City.

Then-Cordillera Administrative Region Director Teofilo Gaius Sison had written a letter to Manzala stressing the urgent need for PRC Baguio to relocate, thus prompting the PRC to release P6.7 million as rental payments to CTLL Building.

The prosecution said the contract failed to undergo a public bidding, noting Delos Santos was a "preferred supplier" who already bagged the project months ahead.

Manzala, Sison, Commissioner Alfredo Po, supervising professional regulations officer Tricia Camara, and chief professional regulations officer Sarah Edna Tabije all filed motions for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence assailing the evidence against them.

Manzala, for her part, said there was no proof she conspired with her co-accused officials in favoring Delos Santos and that she was only acting within her powers as PRC chairperson.

She added that PRC Baguio's relocation was urgent, and that CTLL Building offered the lowest rent at that time.

The prosecution said in its opposition that the lack of a competitive public bidding showed "blatant disregard" for government procedure, while the payments were released through irregular transactions.

The Sandiganbayan denied all motions for leave but gave Manzala and her co-accused the chance to file their respective demurrers, or a motion seeking the outright dismissal of a case on the ground of weak evidence from the prosecution.

However, the Sandiganbayan said that a demurrer without prior leave of court means "they shall waive their right to present evidence and are submitting this case for judgment on the basis of the evidence adduced by the prosecution." — BM, GMA News