Ex-Cavite mayor cleared of graft

MANILA, Philippines — A former mayor in Cavite has been acquitted in a graft case involving the alleged illegal operation of a dumpsite.

In a ruling promulgated on July 15, the Sandiganbayan cleared former Bacoor mayor Jessie Castillo of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The complaint was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in September 2000.

Aside from Castillo, also acquitted of the same offense were private respondents Melencio Arciaga and Emerencianno Arciaga.

The Sandiganbayan said the case should be dismissed as the prosecution panel failed to present any witness or proof against the defendants.

It said the dismissal of a case due to failure to prosecute is equivalent to an acquittal, which would bar further prosecution of the accused for the same offense.

The case stemmed from the operation of a dump in Barangay Molino, which the ombudsman said Castillo allowed despite the lack of an environmental compliance certificate and other permits from the Environmental Management Bureau.

The prosecution said the dump continued to operate even as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a cease and desist order.