News Briefs: Feb. 7, 2019

Sandiganbayan acquits Relampagos, ex-TLRC exec in PDAF case

The Sandiganbayan First Division has acquitted former Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center Deputy Director General Dennis Cunanan of graft and malversation charges in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

In a 35-page resolution, the court said the prosecution failed to prove Relampagos and Cunanan’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Relampagos’ involvement in the scam stemmed from his endorsement of a bogus nongovernment organization as the implementing body of PDAF projects of former Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula. —Patricia Denise M. Chiu

House recalls OKd bill punishing drug possession in parties

The House of Representatives on Wednesday recalled the approval on final reading of a bill that would punish any person found in possession of dangerous drugs at parties and other social gatherings with “life imprisonment to death.”

There were no objections to a motion made during the plenary session to return House Bill No. 8909 to the committee on dangerous drugs so it could make unspecified changes to the measure.

The bill was passed on Monday by a 172-0 vote.

Under Section 13 of the bill, the penalty of life imprisonment to death, along with fines ranging from P500,000 to P10 million, shall be imposed on “any person found possessing any dangerous drugs during a party or at a social gathering or meeting.” —DJ Yap