Former Cabanatuan officials found guilty of direct bribery
Two former officials of Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija have been convicted by the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division of direct bribery and breach of conduct charges due to the acceptance of P300,000 in exchange for the passage of a resolution authorizing the construction of a cell site tower back in 2013. Sangguniang Panlungsod member Angelito Duran Saclolo Jr. and secretary Alfredo G. Ortaleza were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 7(d) of R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Employees and Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code or Direct Bribery. Both of them were sentenced to suffer an indeterminate penalty of three years as minimum to five years as maximum and pay a fine of P5,000 for their breach of conduct conviction. Meanwhile, they were slapped with five years, five months, and 11 days of prision correctional as minimum to eight years and one day of prision mayor as maximum, as well as pay a fine of P900,000 for their direct bribery conviction. The two of them are also perpetually disqualified from holding public office. Saclolo Jr. and Ortaleza solicited and received P300,000 from Ma. Linda Moya of Richworld Aire & Technologies Corporation for the immediate passage of a Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution, which allowed and authorized the construction, operation, and maintenance of Globe cell site towers and antennas in Cabanatuan City. Three prosecution witnesses – all officials of Richworld – testified that they were present when Ortaleza demanded and solicited the “kalakaran” in exchange for the passage of the resolution. Ortaleza told Moya that it cost P220,000 per cellular tower. When Moya haggled for a lower amount, Ortaleza referred her to Saclolo Jr. The anti-graft court found their testimonies “straightforward and consistent on material points,” although the accused argued that these were “inconsistent.” Saclolo Jr. likewise denied that he received P300,000 from Moya. While it was true that he was not present when Moya delivered the money, the court said it was very clear he was complicit in the entire transaction. “Even when there is no direct proof of an express agreement between accused Saclolo and Ortaleza to demand, solicit, and receive money from Richworld in consideration of the passage of the pertinent ordinance, their concerted individual and collective acts before, during, and after the commission of the crime, as explained above, indubitably demonstrate their conspiracy and common intent towards the accomplishment of the same unlawful object,” the decision read. The 63-page decision was written by Sixth Division Chairperson Sarah Jane Fernandez with the concurrence of Associate Justices Karl Miranda and Kevin Narce Vivero......»»
Former Cabanatuan officials found guilty of direct bribery
Two former officials of Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija have been convicted by the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division of direct bribery and breach of conduct charges due to the acceptance of P300,000 in exchange for the passage of a resolution authorizing the construction of a cell site tower back in 2013. Sangguniang Panlungsod member Angelito Duran Saclolo Jr. and secretary Alfredo G. Ortaleza were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 7(d) of R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Employees and Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code or Direct Bribery. Both of them were sentenced to suffer an indeterminate penalty of three years as minimum to five years as maximum and pay a fine of P5,000 for their breach of conduct conviction. Meanwhile, they were slapped with five years, five months, and 11 days of prision correctional as minimum to eight years and one day of prision mayor as maximum, as well as pay a fine of P900,000 for their direct bribery conviction. The two of them are also perpetually disqualified from holding public office. Saclolo Jr. and Ortaleza solicited and received P300,000 from Ma. Linda Moya of Richworld Aire & Technologies Corporation for the immediate passage of a Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution, which allowed and authorized the construction, operation, and maintenance of Globe cell site towers and antennas in Cabanatuan City. Three prosecution witnesses – all officials of Richworld – testified that they were present when Ortaleza demanded and solicited the “kalakaran” in exchange for the passage of the resolution. Ortaleza told Moya that it cost P220,000 per cellular tower. When Moya haggled for a lower amount, Ortaleza referred her to Saclolo Jr. The anti-graft court found their testimonies “straightforward and consistent on material points,” although the accused argued that these were “inconsistent.” Saclolo Jr. likewise denied that he received P300,000 from Moya. While it was true that he was not present when Moya delivered the money, the court said it was very clear he was complicit in the entire transaction. “Even when there is no direct proof of an express agreement between accused Saclolo and Ortaleza to demand, solicit, and receive money from Richworld in consideration of the passage of the pertinent ordinance, their concerted individual and collective acts before, during, and after the commission of the crime, as explained above, indubitably demonstrate their conspiracy and common intent towards the accomplishment of the same unlawful object,” the decision read. The 63-page decision was written by Sixth Division Chairperson Sarah Jane Fernandez with the concurrence of Associate Justices Karl Miranda and Kevin Narce Vivero......»»
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