Sandigan junks Radaza’s bid to dismiss graft case

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has to choose whether or not to present evidence in defense of the anti-graft case against her over her involvement in the alleged misuse of the P15 million pork barrel funds of then Cebu 4th district representative Clavel Asas Martinez.

The Sandiganbayan denied her motion for reconsideration on the dismissal of her earlier bid to file demurer to evidence with leave of court.

Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez denied Radaza’s request for being filed out of time.

Radaza was given a non-extendable period of 10 days to file a demurer without leave of court or proceed with the trial. Fernandez said the accused has to choose whether to proceed with the demurer and risk losing the chance to present evidence or proceed with the trial and present her defense.

Radaza earlier sought the dismissal of the case against her for alleged insufficiency of evidence.

“After a careful restudy of the testimonial and documentary evidence presented by the prosecution, this Court still finds that the same, if unrebutted, is sufficient to convict the accused. The Court, thus, finds no basis to reconsider its January 22, 2018 Resolution,” the anti-graft court ruled.

The case stemmed from P15 million pork barrel of Martinez intended for the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) where Radaza used to be the treasurer. The money was allegedly misused.