Ex-PUP president cleared of graft

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan acquitted former Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) president Dante Guevarra of graft charges yesterday after the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Guevarra was charged by the Office of the Ombudsman of 12 counts of graft for alleged irregularities in the construction of school buildings and overpayment of terminal leave benefits to former PUP president Nemesio Prudente. The charges were based on a complaint filed by faculty members Zenaida Pia and Cresenciano Gatchalian in 1995.

The Sandiganbayan also cleared former accounting division chief Adriano Salvador of criminal liability.