SC acquits barangay kagawad in graft case

The Supreme Court has acquitted a barangay kagawad who was convicted of graft for accepting P200 in transportation fare to check on an applicant’s permit status.

In a 14-page ruling, the SC Second Division overturned the Court of Appeals' (CA) decision, clearing Pancho Bigcas of violating Section 3(c) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“Here it is clear that Bigcas did not act with dishonest or fraudulent purpose. There are no facts or circumstances on record from which this specific criminal intent may be inferred,” the SC stated.

Case background

The case stemmed from a complaint by a woman who claimed that Bigcas volunteered to check on her earth-moving permit application at city hall and asked for P200 as fare.

However, the SC found that the complainant insisted on covering his fare, leading Bigcas to accept the money as a loan.

When the Sangguniang Barangay later denied her application, citing that it was actually a quarry permit request, the woman refused to take back the P200 when Bigcas tried to return it.

She admitted filing the complaint out of principle but also acknowledged giving the money in hopes of expediting her permit.

Bigcas was convicted by a Davao regional trial court, and the CA dismissed his appeal, prompting him to elevate the case to the SC.

SC ruling

The SC ruled that Bigcas never promised to secure the permit, nor did he act out of personal interest.

“But as it turned out, his sincere and laudable efforts even incurred the ire of [the complainant], who, out of spite, caused his prosecution… We cannot countenance this vengeful, nay, immoral scheme to put an innocent person behind bars,” the Court said.

The decision, penned by Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier, was promulgated in November 2024 and made public in March 2025. — DVM, GMA Integrated News