Sandiganbayan acquits former AFP chief of graft

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan on Friday acquitted former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Diomedio Villanueva of graft stemming from anomalous transactions when he was head of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

The Sandiganbayan First Division said prosecutors failed to prove Villanueva’s  guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Villanueva, who was appointed postmaster-general after his retirement from military service, was accused of violating Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019 or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, when he allegedly gave unwarranted benefits to Philpost USA, a private company, after a November 2003 refund worth P53 million for terminal dues for mail matters sent to the United Kingdom’s Royal Mail.

Villanueva was AFP chief from 2001 to 2002, during the administration of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. /gsg

READ: Graft case vs ex-postmaster general refiled