Ex-Munti mayor cleared of P97-M graft charge

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Muntinlupa mayor Aldrin San Pedro of a graft case that stemmed from the allegedly anomalous procurement of P97.52 million worth of fire trucks from 2008 to 2009.

- ELIZABETH MARCELO

"The prosecution failed to prove the existence of a corrupt intent, dishonest design and unethical interest which goes to the very nature of the offense charged," the anti-graft court's Second Division said in its 35-page resolution promulgated on Friday.

San Pedro was specifically acquitted of violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, a provision that prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to a private party, or from causing any party, including the government, undue injury.

Also acquitted of the same charge was private respondent Angel Palmiery, general manager of Palmer-Asia Inc.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2021, the case stemmed from the Muntinlupa City government's procurement of three fire trucks and an aerial ladder truck from Palmer-Asia through a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines.