7 ex-Marcos execs cleared of estafa

It took the Sandiganbayan 23 years to acquit seven Marcos-era officials of charges of estafa and falsification of public documents.

In a decision released yesterday, the anti-graft court’s first division dismissed the charges against former public works and highways minister Jesus Hipolito, deputy minister Aber Canlas, National Capital Region director Samuel Fadullon, assistant director Rodolfo Palmera, chief civil engineers Jesus Romero and Edilberto Tayao, and supervising civil engineer Carmelino Nuguid.

Also cleared was Aurora Panlilio, private contractor of the project.

The evidence was insufficient to prove the seven officials took advantage of their government positions in conspiracy with Panlilio to falsify a statement of work to make it appear that the dredging of Talayan-Balinghasa creek and outlet of Lakandula Main at Manila Bay was 47.77-percent accomplished, when no dredging was ever done.

On Dec. 27, 1985 and Jan. 24, 1986, the Office of the Ombudsman charged the seven accused before the Sandiganbayan with estafa and falsification of public documents.

The anti-graft court dismissed the case after granting the demurrer to evidence filed by the seven accused.

The Sandiganbayan said the prosecution failed to prove deceit and damage caused, which are key elements in cases of estafa.

The decision was written by Presiding Justice Diosdado Peralta. Associate Justices Rodolfo Ponferrada and Alexander Gesmundo concurred with the decision.