Ex-Bataan town mayor cleared of graft raps

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted a former mayor of Mariveles, Bataan of charges of graft in connection with the local government’s procurement of land in 2005.

In a 26-page decision promulgated on October 24, the anti-graft court cleared Angel Viray Peliglorio Jr. of violation of Section 3(e) of the Ant-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for the failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The court also authorized the release of the bail he posted and ordered the lifting of the hold departure order against him.

The Sandiganbayan also directed the Bureau of Immigration to remove his name in the hold departure list, insofar as the case is concerned.

In 2005, Peliglorio was accused of acting with evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence when he approved the acquisition of several parcels of land despite the lack of important documents to support the transaction.

However, the court said that evidence on record does not prove beyond reasonable doubt that Peliglorio acted with evident bad faith or gross negligence.

“The incomplete documentation in the purchase of the parcels of land from Guansing was clearly established. However, it was also established that there was an Appraisal Committee specifically created to review and evaluate the sustainability of the property as a slaughterhouse,” it said.

“There was nothing in the evidence presented indicating that accused Peliglorio had maneuvered the procedure and that he obligated or forced the members of both the Appraisal Committee and Sangguniang Bayan to approve the purchase of parcels of land,” it added.

The anti-graft court further said that it is presumed that Peliglorio acted in good faith by relying on the verification and recommendation by the Budget, Accounting, and Treasurer’s Office.

“Accused Peliglorio may have been negligent in failing to thoroughly countercheck the documents of the sale submitted to him. However, from the evidence submitted, the Court is not prepared to conclude that he consciously and intentionally did so in order to commit fraud or to purposely commit a crime,” it said.—LDF, GMA News