Ex-Nueva Vizcaya exec’s conviction for graft affirmed

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has upheld the conviction of a former official of the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya for asking money from a mining firm in exchange for the issuance of transport and export permits.

In a resolution dated July 19, the anti-graft court denied a motion for reconsideration filed by former provincial administrator Manuel Tabora.

In May, the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division found Tabora guilty of receiving P250,000 from the mining firm.

The court sentenced Tabora to six to eight years in prison and ordered him to pay P250,000 in civil liability to the International Minerals Marketing and Advising Inc.

Based on charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017, Tabora promised to help the company secure permits from the provincial government.

He reportedly received the money on April 12, 2011.

In his appeal, Tabora said he received the money on behalf of Krisjann Mapile, a businessman from whom the company intended to buy copper ore products for export.