Ex-AFP chief of staff Villanueva acquitted of graft

MANILA, Philippines–The Sandiganbayan First Division has acquitted former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff and former Postmaster General Diomedio Villanueva of graft in connection with the allegedly anomalous P53-million refund he authorized to Philpost USA.

Villanueva, and his coaccused, former Assistant Postmaster General Antonio Siapno and acting director of the accounting department Leonido Basilio, were officials of the Philippines Postal Corp.

In its 13-page decision dated Feb. 22, the court acquitted Villanueva since the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Villanueva allegedly authorized on Nov. 19, 2003, the refund of $1,031,936.04 or P53,043,834.52 to Philpost USA for the “terminal dues for mail matters sent to Royal Mail.”  —PATRICIA DENISE M. CHIU