Sandigan orders ex-Muntinlupa mayor’s arrest for graft

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of former Muntinlupa mayor Aldrin San Pedro and 11 other former city employees for graft charges.

In a decision promulgated on April 21 and released only yesterday, magistrates of the anti-graft court’s Second Division denied the motions filed by the accused to defer the issuance of warrants for their arrest.

San Pedro is running for mayor against reelectionist Jaime Fresnedi.

The Sandiganbayan also issued hold departure orders against the respondents to prevent them from leaving the country without permission from the anti-graft court.

The Sandiganbayan affirmed the ombudsman’s resolution in November last year finding probable cause to indict San Pedro and the other respondents for graft for their involvement in the allegedly anomalous purchase of trolley bags in 2008 for P22 million.

Ombudsman probers said the former mayor awarded the contract to a private firm, CLMP Trading, without a public bidding.

San Pedro’s co-accused include former bids and awards committee chairman Roberto Bunyi; BAC vice chairman Michael Racelis; BAC members Avelino Orellana, Rodolfo Oliquino, Vicente Navarro, Peter Salonga and Sonia Laureta; technical working group chairman Roderick Espina; and TWG members Edwin Suitado, Eduardo Bautista and Glenn Santos.

“A finding of probable cause does not require an inquiry as to whether there is sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. It is enough that the prosecutor believes that the act of omission complained of constitutes the offense charged,” the Sandiganbayan said.

The anti-graft court dismissed all the petitions filed by the accused questioning their indictment following a thorough review of the complaint.

“After careful evaluation of the respondents’ separate motions, we find the contention therein not sufficient to set aside the findings of probable cause. There exists probable cause to justify the issuance of warrants for their arrest,” the Sandiganbayan said.

The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Napoleon Inoturan.