Sandiganbayan junks criminal charges vs ex-QC lawmaker, 10 others

The Sandiganbayan has dismissed the criminal charges filed against former Quezon City 2nd District congresswoman Mari Grace Preciosa H. Castelo and 10 others who were reportedly involved in the ghost hiring of workers for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program from 2020 to 2021.

- By CZARINA NICOLE ONG KI

Castelo and the others filed separate motions for reconsideration, and asked the antigraft court to reverse its resolution that denied their motions to dismiss the charges.

In her motion, Castelo argued that the charges filed against them were insufficient in form as it did not state the acts or omissions with respect to the graft and estafa complaints.

The other accused claimed that the element of conspiracy indicated was a "broad and sweeping allegation" and was therefore a violation of due process.

The anti-graft court did not discuss further their arguments and merely adhered to the Supreme Court’s (SC) April 2 resolution which it received last June 25.