Sandigan affirms 10-year jail term for VM, 7 others

CEBU, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan First Division has sustained its earlier decision sentencing Aloguinsan Vice Mayor Cynthia Moreno and other town officials and employees to a 10-year imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

In its resolution dated August 28, 2014, the anti-graft court denied the “Motion for Reconsideration with Prayer to Present Additional or Reopen the Case” filed Moreno and the other accused on June 16, 2014.

The nine-page resolution was signed by Associate Justices Efren de la Cruz as chairperson, and Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos as members.

The Sandiganbayan found that Moreno, Municipal Budget Officer Nonela Villegas, Municipal Agricultural Officer Marilyn Flordeliza, Municipal Assessor John Lim, Municipal Engineer Orven Nengasca, Municipal Civil Registrar Pepito Manguilimotan, and utility workers Gertrudes Ababon and Emilia Luz Celis guilty of purchasing construction materials worth P1 million without public bidding in 2007.

The accused earlier contended that the court failed to appreciate the evidence for the defense which, if fairly considered, would yield a conclusion in their favor.

The court, however, said that during the trial, both the prosecution and the defense were given ample opportunity to present their respective stands.

“Hence, in the exercise of its sound judgment, the court is not persuaded that the reason put forth by the accused warrants the presentation of additional evidence or re-opening of the case,” read the resolution.

The court added that it found “no cogent reason to depart from questioned Decision and to weigh all over again the evidence as scrutinized by the Court as it had convincingly and adequately demonstrated the guilt of the accused beyond any shadow of doubt.”

Moreno cannot be reached and did not reply text messages sent for reaction as of press time yesterday.

When the decision came out in the lower court, Moreno’s husband, Mayor Augustus Caesar Moreno, said they can still avail of legal remedies to reverse the ruling, like going to the Supreme Court.

The case stemmed from the complaints filed by former town councilor Felimon Georsua  Jr., before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Georsua alleged that the accused purchased aluminum composite panels, 255 lengths of square tube, 12.5 lengths of angular, 10 lengths of angular, 535 tubes of silicone sealant, 1,800 pieces of Tox and Screw, 250 rolls of masking tape and one roll of 10mm P.E. foam from Diamond Interior Industries Corporation worth P1.12 million without public bidding.

These materials were reportedly for the metal cladding project for the town building. (FREEMAN)