MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has turned down the motion for reconsideration filed by a former Bataan town mayor and a government contractor questioning their conviction for malversation last June for irregularities made in the construction of a public market in 2007.
In its resolution written by Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez dated Sept. 13 , the anti graft court has denied the motion filed by former Mariveles, Bataan mayor Angel Peliglorio Jr. and businessman Cedric Lee.
Peliglorio and Lee had been sentenced to up to 18 years imprisonment for the unauthorized release of advance mobilization funds made to the latter's firm, Izumo Contractors Inc., for the construction project.
The Sandiganbayan also granted the motion for partial reconsideration filed by the prosecution for the duo to pay a reduced fine of PHP18.4 million from the original judgment of PHP23.47 million.
The fine represented the funds malversed and restitution of a similar amount after the court noted that only the amount of PHP19.44 million out of the original PHP23.47 million was acknowledged to have been received by Lee.
"This Court notes the act of requesting made by Lee and the subsequent and immediate written instruction of Peliglorio, Jr. for the release of the advance mobilization funds/down payment by Landbank, strongly indicates a conspiracy to misappropriate the subject funds," the tribunal said. (PNA)
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