Ex-Muntinlupa mayor cleared of graft

The Sandiganbayan has cleared former Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro of graft over his supposed undue preference for a fire safety solutions provider in the procurement of three fire trucks and an aerial ladder truck worth P97.5 million in 2008.

The antigraft court’s second division, in a decision on Friday, acquitted San Pedro, and his co-accused Angel Palmiery of Palmer-Asia Inc., citing the prosecution’s failure to prove that there was conspiracy and malicious intent committed by San Pedro when he approved the disbursement of public funds for the purchase of the multimillion fire trucks.

It noted that the accusations were based on the testimony of Abel Sumabat, who was the internal auditor and bids and awards committee secretary of the local government of Muntinlupa during San Pedro’s time as mayor.

READ: Graft case vs ex-Muntinlupa mayor continues

But the court pointed out that Sumabat’s accusations were belied by documentary evidence and that a witness’ “mere allegation is not evidence and is not equivalent to proof.”

The decision was penned by Associate Justice Edgardo Caldona, with the concurrence of Associate Justices Arthur Malabaguio and Oscar Herrera, the division chair. —KATHLEEN DE VILLA