Electioneering charge vs Morato dismissed

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City court has dismissed four counts of electioneering filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Manuel Morato.

An employee of the Regional Trial Court Branch 87 said Judge Aurora Hernandez-Calledo granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Morato after the prosecution panel rested their case earlier this year.

A demurrer to evidence questions the sufficiency of the prosecution evidence and may be used by the defense as a ground for the dismissal of the case.

A copy of the judge’s order has yet to be released to the media as it is under appeal.

Court staff said the motion for reconsideration filed by Comelec was submitted for resolution.

Morato, 81, is accused of using his public affairs program “Dial M” on NBN-4 and IBC-13 in 2010 to campaign for then presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro and his running mate, actor Edu Manzano.

The former PCSO chairperson pleaded not guilty during his arraignment. He earlier claimed that there is no probable cause to file the charges because he was only exercising his right to free speech.

He is also facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged misuse of PCSO funds.