SC upholds conviction of ex-QC councilor over P6-M ghost projects

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the conviction of a former Quezon City councilor for graft over more than P6 million worth of ghost projects involving the failed distribution of rain gear and other items.  

In a 14-page decision, the SC First Division affirmed the ruling of the Sandiganbayan that found former QC District III Councilor Dante De Guzman guilty of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The SC said De Guzman violated the law when he caused the purchase of 141 custom-designed tents, 1,177 kiddie raincoats, 1,177 rain boots, food supplies, sports equipment, received them, and failed to distribute them.

“Owing to accused-appellant's gross inexcusable negligence, these procured items could not be located or could not be accounted for after their proper turnover to accused-appellant's custody,” the court said.

“Consequently, the Quezon City Government suffered undue injury amounting to PHP 6,411,261.01, representing the amounts paid by the Quezon City Government for the procured items,” it added.

Aside from this, the SC did not give weight to De Guzman’s argument that his signature was forged.

The SC said that De Guzman was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment for each of the four counts of graft.

He was also ordered to pay the QC government P6.4 million with an annual interest of 6% from the date the decision becomes final until full payment.

The decision, penned by Associate Justice Ramon Hernando, was promulgated in July and made public in October. —LDF, GMA Integrated News