Purisima acquitted of 8 counts of perjury

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Second Division has acquitted former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima of perjury charges in connection with his alleged failure to file an accurate statement of assets liabilities and net worth (SALN) for the years 2006 to 2009 and 2011 to 2014.

In a decision promulgated in open court, the Sandiganbayan handed over a not guilty verdict on all eight counts of perjury, for failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Immediately after the promulgation, Purisima left the antigraft court and did not speak to reporters.

The former head of the PNP faced eight counts of perjury in violation of Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code due to his failure to declare properties owned by his wife, Maria Ramona Lydia Purisima, in his SALN from 2006 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2014.

Purisima was acquitted despite the antigraft court’s earlier move to deny his motion to file a demurrer to evidence.

Prior to the promulgation, Purisima sought to have his case dismissed by submitting a demurrer to evidence.

A demurrer declares that the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient. A granted demurrer is tantamount to a dismissal of the case.

In arguing his case, Purisima said the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he “made a willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood” in his SALN.