Ex-PhilRice execs acquitted of P15-M graft raps

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted six former officials of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) of graft charges in connection with their approval of an allegedly anomalous P15.78-million car plan for employees in 2009.

- ELIZABETH MARCELO

In its 48-page decision promulgated on Dec. 2 last year, but was only released last Friday, the court's Sixth Division said the prosecution panel of the Office of the Ombudsman failed to prove the accused PhilRice officials' criminal intent to gain some pecuniary or fiduciary benefits for themselves or for other persons.

Former PhilRice Board of Trustees (BOT) members Johnifer Batara, Fe Laysa, William Padolina, Senen Bacani and Rodolfo Undan were specifically acquitted of one count each of violation of Section 3 (e) and 3 (g) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Former PhilRice cashier IV Fe Lumawag, who was named as co-accused only for violation of Section 3 (g) of RA 3019, was likewise acquitted.