Convicted lawmaker seeks review of graft case

MIMAROPA, Camp Vicente Lim – Convicted Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, has asked the Sandiganbayan to review and reinvestigate his graft case involving P2.5 million calamity loan which the provincial government of Mindoro extended to a private boat owner 14 years ago.

Valencia said he has already explained his appeal for review and reinvestigation of the case to the anti-graft justices who may consider to grant his request in the interest of justice and fairness. The lawmaker branded the case against him as politically motivated and vendetta driven, and blamed it on his detractors and political rivals.

The case stemmed from a P2.5 million loan, the provincial government entered into on Jan. 12, 1994 with the owner of a private boat for its repair to be used to save lives and deliver relief goods following three natural calamities that devastated Oriental Mindoro in 1993. The lawmaker said the loan was a credit agreement between the provincial government and the boat’s owner, Engr. Alfredo Atienza, recipient of the loan, who was also convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan.

On Sept 9, the Sandiganbayan found Valencia with Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr., of the province’s second district, guilty of graft for misusing public funds during their term at the provincial capitol in 1993.   – Ed Amoroso