Sandigan reverses ex-Angeles mayor’s conviction

ANGELES CITY – The Sandiganbayan has reversed its ruling convicting a former mayor of this city for graft.

Francis Nepomuceno and his co-accused Abelardo Pamintuan, head of the nongovernment organization Kapanalig Inc., were sentenced to 12 years in prison last year in connection with the city government’s donation of a vehicle to the NGO in 2012.

In its ruling, the Sandiganbayan said the donation was backed by a resolution of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

The anti-graft court had earlier ruled that the donation was illegal because Kapanalig was not a government entity, adding that the vehicle was being used by the city government at the time.

At a press briefing yesterday, Nepomuceno said he felt vindicated by the court’s decision.

In appealing his conviction, Nepomuceno said he did not give unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to Kapanalig.

The court’s finding that the donation was disadvantageous to the city government was “merely speculative,” his motion read.

In Batanes, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the complaint filed against Hino Jesus Ceilo and Rafael Castro, treasurer and accountant, respectively, of the municipal government of Sabtang for lack of merit.

Based on the complaint filed by former Sabtang mayor Maxilindo Emilio Babalo, Ceilo and Castro failed to record the donation of an excavator to the municipal government.

In their defense, the two officials said the heavy equipment was not turned over to them. They added that Babalo allowed its use by a private contractor without authority from the Sangguniang Bayan.