Sistoza not arraigned

The Sandiganbayan reset to December the arraignment of retired police general Pedro Sistoza on charges that he and seven other officials of the Bureau of Corrections violated bidding rules in granting a contract to a tomato paste supplier.

The anti-graft court acted on the motion of Sistoza’s lawyer that a doctor advised the former Bureau of Corrections head to take a rest due to acute viral illnesses.

However, the arraignment of Sistoza’s co-accused proceeded yesterday, and they all pleaded not guilty.

They are Zoraida Ocampo, head of the bureau’s bidding committee; Bienvenida Tupas, Kabungsuan Makilala, Angelina Palentinos, Ramon Loyola and Ma. Corazon Bravo, committee members; and Isabelita Martinez, supply division chief. — Jose Rodel Clapano