Zamboanga Sibugay ex-governor gets bail

The Sandiganbayan 5th Division has allowed former Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. George Hofer and his co-accused to post bail while undergoing trial for graft and malversation.

The court set their bail at P250,000 for each case.

Hofer and provincial employees Editha Quinte and Lucia Palang were earlier charged with the alleged misuse of funds to help the poor.

They allegedly made it appear that money was given to needy beneficiaries when in fact these beneficiaries were nonexistent and no payments were made.

The accused were earlier denied bail for two counts of malversation, but their recommended bail for each of the two graft charges was set at P40,000.

In its resolution granting them bail, the Sandiganbayan noted that there were inconsistencies in the evidence presented by the prosecution.

It said that in the malversation cases, there was a need to establish that a public officer has custody or control of public funds. Leila Salaverria