Sandiganbayan acquits ex-PNP Chief Purisima, 16 others in courier service mess

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and 16 others in connection with the allegedly anomalous courier service contract the PNP entered into in 2011.

In its decision, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division said the prosecution “failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. They must, therefore, be acquitted of the crime charged.”

Purisima had been charged with one count of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for signing a memorandum of agreement with Werfast Documentary Agency, Inc. for a computerized system for the renewal of firearms licenses.

Prosecutors previously argued that the deal with Werfast was irregular because it was awarded without public bidding.

They also pointed out that when the contract was signed in May 2011, Werfast lacked the required qualifications and experience as a courier firm and was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It also did not have authorization from the then-Department of Transportation and Communications to operate as a courier service.

Aside from Purisima, the court also cleared former officials of the PNP Civil Service Group and the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), as well as Werfast incorporators.

The Sandiganbayan ruled there was no conspiracy in accrediting Werfast as the PNP’s courier service provider.

“...It follows that the alleged conspiracy between, and among the accused police officers on the one hand, and the private individuals in this case, on the other, never existed," the court said.

"Considering that the accused police officers were declared innocent of any wrongdoing, it stands to reason that the accused private individuals in this case had no one to conspire with,” the decision read in part.

The court acknowledged reports of delayed deliveries of firearms licenses but said the prosecution still failed to show proof of actual damage or loss caused by Werfast.

“This Court is not oblivious to the alleged failure of Werfast to satisfactorily perform its assigned task of delivering the firearms licenses processed and issued by the FEO," the anti-graft court said.

"This Court notes that there were reports of delayed deliveries… While it may be argued that such delays may partake of the nature of damage or injury suffered by the gunowners…, the prosecution failed to substantiate such supposed damage or injury,” it said.

According to the Sandiganbayan, the prosecution failed “to prove with actual certainty the supposed loss or damage and to provide sufficient and reasonable basis which this Court can measure.”

The court also lifted the hold departure orders against all the accused and directed the Bureau of Immigration to remove their names from its watchlist.—MCG, GMA Integrated News