Andaya bid to drop 194 cases junked

Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr.

The Sandiganbayan has denied the bid of Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. to quash nearly 200 cases filed against him in connection with the Malampaya fund scam.

In a 28-page resolution penned by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and concurred in by Associate Justices Bernelito Fernandez and Ronald Moreno, the anti-graft court dismissed Andaya’s motion to quash his 194 criminal charges.

Graft, falsification

The cases include graft and falsification of public documents.

In an earlier motion, Andaya argued that his cases should be dismissed since the prosecution was unable to show how he participated in the scheme.

The cases, Andaya said, showed only that he approved the special allotment and release orders worth P900 million, which was ministerial on his part as then budget secretary.

The court, however, said the facts were sufficient enough to proceed with trial of the case.

It also noted that Andaya did not have to be involved in all aspects of the scheme to be tried.

“Jurisprudence holds that all conspirators are liable as co-principals regardless of the extent and character of their respective participation,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“In contemplation of law, the act of one is the act of all,” it added.