(File photo)
MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Ilocos Sur 1st Dist. Rep Salacnib Baterina of charges linked to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam but ordered him to return PHP35 million in wrongful disbursements to non-government organizations (NGOs) dating back to 2007.
In its 60-page decision dated Oct. 27, the anti-graft court's Special Second Division acquitted Baterina of graft, direct bribery and malversation charges in connection with the use of PDAF.
On the other hand, convicted in the same ruling were businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and others who were found guilty of conspiring to misuse the PDAF and funneling into the Kaagapay Magpakailanman Foundation Inc. (KMFI) and the Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI).
"(T)here is no evidence to sufficiently prove that accused Baterina had any participation in the conspiracy to commit the crimes," the tribunal said.
Napoles, former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) group manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, former supervisor Belina Concepcion, and private individuals Godofredo Roque and Evelyn de Leon were sentenced to reclusion perpetua (up to 40 years imprisonment) in separate offenses and were ordered to indemnify the government PHP35 million.
"In these cases, the prosecution was able to show that accused Concepcion, Lacsamana, Napoles, De Leon and Roque, through their concerted acts with evident faith and manifest partiality resulted in giving KMFI an PSDFI, and in turn, accused Napoles, unwarranted benefits," the anti-graft court said. (PNA)
