Sandiganbayan acquits ex-Romblon mayor of graft

The former mayor of Looc, Romblon has been acquitted of graft charges in connection with the alleged anomalous P9-million irrigation project the municipality entered into in 2007.

In a 33-page decision dated February 23, the Sandiganbayan First Division ruled that former mayor Juliet Ngo-Fiel was acting in good faith when the project was awarded to its lone bidder, R.G. Florentino Construction and Trading (RGFCT).

"Absent any damage nor injury, coupled with the fact that the accused were merely actuated by good faith in acting as they did in the implementation of the subject project, this court therefore is inclined to absolve them from the instant criminal charge," the Sandiganbayan said.

Aside from Fiel, the Sandiganbayan also acquitted Bids and Awards Committee members Solomon Gregorio, Renato Saludaga, Jessie Jomadiao, Wilma Pastor, and Rolando Gregorio.

The hold departure orders and bail bonds of the accused were lifted and released, respectively.

The Office of the Ombudsman had accused Fiel of entering a contract with RGFCT for the small-scale irrigation/small water impounding project (SWIP) of Looc despite having no authority from the municipal council.

Graft investigators also found that RGFCT was ineligible to participate in a public bidding, which was marred by several irregularities and fraud.

However, the Sandiganbayan said the procurement for the project was within the bounds of the Government Procurement Act contrary to the claims of private complainant Manuel Arboleda, a former Looc mayor whom Fiel defeated in the 2007 elections.

The anti-graft court also considered the defense of Fiel, who said the town was picked by the Department of Agriculture as one of the beneficiaries of the government's hunger mitigation program.

"It was a rare opportunity for a fourth class municipality, such as Looc, to be bestowed with an infrastructure project in support of its hunger mitigation program," the decision read.

The Sandiganbayan further said the project does not need a resolution from the municipal council due to its funding from the national government and the urgency of the project.

The Sandiganbayan said it sees no evidence the SWIP caused undue injury to the government, noting that the barangay beneficiaries are already benefiting from the project.

"The quantum of evidence points to the fact that the acts of the accused relative to the SWIP were borne out of good faith spurred only be sheer desire to take advantage of the opportunity to avail of the intended project and comply with what was expected from their end," it said. — RSJ, GMA News