The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has acquitted several former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu regional office inMandaue City of graft charges.
Acquitted were former Regional Director Robert Lala, Assistant Regional Director and chair of the bids and awards committee (BAC) Marlina Alvizo, officer in charge (OIC) of the maintenance division Pureza Fernandez, OIC maintenance division assistant chief Cresencio Bagolor and BAC Technical Working Group members Agustinito Hermoso, Luis Galang, Ayaon Manggis, Marilyn Ojeda and Teresa Bernido.
Also found not guilty were OIC City Engineer Hidelisa Latonio and Assistant City Engineer Gregorio Omo and Isabelo Braza, president and chair of the board of Fabmik Construction and Equipment Supply Co.
The case stemmed from the accused allegedly giving undue advantage to Fabmik by awarding it a P19.98-million contract for the supply and installation of street lighting facilities in 2006.
The prosecution alleged that the contract, which was overpriced by some P6.13 million, was in excess of the 10-percent allowable price variance and did not undergo proper public bidding. —PATRICIA DENISE M. CHIU