Lawmaker appeals graft conviction

Leyte fourth district Rep. Eufrocino Codilla Sr. has appealed to the Sandiganbayan’s fifth division to reverse its earlier decision finding him guilty of graft and sentencing him to a maximum 18 years in jail.

Codilla, in a 26-page supplemental motion filed last Oct. 15, asked the anti-graft court to partially reconsider its Sept. 28 ruling finding him guilty of two counts of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Codilla, who served three full terms as mayor from 1992 to 2001, was also perpetually disqualified from holding any public office due to his conviction. 

Upon his lawyers’ request, Codilla was allowed to maintain his P60,000 bail bond for his temporary liberty pending his filing of an appeal and the court’s final resolution.

Through his lawyers Paulino del Socorro and Edgar Gica, Codilla asked the Sandigan­bayan to issue a new decision acquitting him of the crime.

The graft case against Codilla stemmed from his approval of the application for the sand and gravel permit of his own company, Codilla Enterprises, where his son Eric acted as company manager in 1993 and 1994.