Ouano, 8 other former Mandaue officials acquitted of graft charges

CEBU, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan yesterday acquitted former Mandaue City mayor Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano and several other former city officials from graft and corruption charges because of alleged overpriced lot purchase more than 15 years ago.

The others who were also acquitted of the charges for violation of Section 3(g) of the Republic Act 3019 otherwise known as the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act were former councilors Pontico “Tiko” Fortuna, Sr., Noel “Kiwi” Soon, Cesar “Tingsol” Cabahug, Mark Lester Jenjaquet, who was then the federation president of Sangguniang Kabataan, former city administrator Victor Biaño, city treasurer Lorna Atega and spouses Raul and Editha Cabahug.

“Nihilak intawon akong papa tungod sa tumang kalipay,” says Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano over his father’s acquittal.

The acquittal was due to the prosecution’s failure to prove the guilt of the accused on the alleged overpriced transaction.

The case stemmed from the 1995 transaction entered into by then Mandaue City officials for the purchase of the 3,135 square meter property in Barangay Looc where the Looc Elementary School stands at present.

The property was purchased at P3,500 per square meter or a total amount of P10.9 million from the Cabahug couple.

But, former vice mayor Demetrio Cortes Jr. alleged that the transaction was anomalous claiming that it was overpriced.

After the long battle, the anti-graft court dismissed the case for lack of evidence. It was the 43rd case to be dismissed against Ouano during his entire stint as mayor of Mandaue City. (FREEMAN)