Sandigan affirms dismissal of cases vs ex- Pampanga mayor, 7 others

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its ruling that dismissed the graft and malversation of public funds charges filed against former Mayor Teddy C. Tumang of Mexico town, Pampanga province and seven other persons named in the alleged irregular procurement of construction materials for road repairs in 2009 and 2010.

- By CZARINA NICOLE ONG-KI

In a resolution issued last Dec. 12, the anti-graft court denied the motion filed by the prosecution to reverse the Sept. 3 ruling that granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Tumang and his co-accused.

In its motion, the prosecution argued that the court erred in ruling that there was no sufficient evidence presented by the prosecution and that the ruling was a "gross misapprehension of facts" which are "unfounded, speculative, or arbitrary."

But the Sandiganbayan stood pat on its ruling.

It said: "The Court stands firm on its findings contained in its assailed Resolution. The prosecution failed to adduce new substantive arguments to convince the Court to reconsider and set aside its findings that the prosecution did not provide sufficient and competent evidence to support a conviction."