Sandiganbayan junks bid of 9 ex-DPWH officials to dismiss malversation case

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has denied the bid of nine former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 4B officials to dismiss a malversation case against them in connection with an alleged anomalous flood control project, for lack of merit.

In a resolution dated June 1, the anti-graft court said the accused’s motion for leave to file a demurrer to evidence appeared intended to delay proceedings in the alleged P289-million substandard flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion seeking dismissal of charges on the ground of weak prosecution evidence.

The nine accused who filed the motion for leave to file demurrer are:

• Gerald Pacanan
• Gene Ryan Altea
• Ruben Santos Jr.
• Dominic Serrano
• Juliet Calvo
• Dennis Abagon
• Motrexis Tordecilla Tamayo
• Lerma Cayco
• Felisardo Casuno

“Upon careful examination of the records, the Court resolves to deny the motions for leave to file demurrer to evidence of accused Pacanan, Altea, Santos, Serrano, Calvo, Abagon, Tamayo, Cayco, and Casuno as granting the respective motions would only serve to delay the proceedings,” the court said.

“Accordingly, the motions for leave to file demurrer to evidence of the accused...are denied for lack of merit. The schedule of hearings previously set for the presentation of defense evidence is maintained,” it added.

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division had earlier set the presentation of defense evidence for June.—MCG, GMA News