Arraignment for Loot's graft case pushed back

CEBU, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan First Division has postponed the scheduled arraignment of Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot for an anti-graft case.

It was Loot who asked for the postponement of her arraignment yesterday claiming in her manifestation that she had filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition before the Supreme Court seeking for the reversal of the resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman. 

Loot allegedly is accused of taking advantage of her position in refusing to sign the Daily Time Record of Jeronimo Cosido, a permanent employee of Daanbantayan town, starting July 16, 2003 resulting in the withholding of his salaries.

The unpaid salaries and allowances of Cosido from July 16 to October 8, 2003 amounted to P17,806.35.

“In order to give said court ample time to act upon the applications for TRO and/or writ of preliminary injunction, it would best serve the interest of justice and equity if the arraignment of the accused scheduled on May 10, 2012 be deferred,” the manifestation reads.

The petition was filed before the SC last May 7, Loot is seeking review of October 27, 2011 and March 20, 2012 resolutions.

Earlier, Loot posted a P30,000 bail for her temporary liberty after a warrant of arrest was issued against her after Division Chairman Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz and members Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos found probable cause to the accusations.

 “After personally perusing the information and evaluating the resolution of the prosecutor, its supporting evidence and the records of the preliminary investigation attached thereto, it appears that sufficient grounds exist for the finding of probable cause for the purpose of issuing the warrant of arrest against Loot,” the order of justices read. (FREEMAN)