Ex-DOTC chief Mendoza pleads not guilty to NBN-ZTE graft raps

Former DOTC chief Leandro Mendoza. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Former Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza on Monday entered a not guilty plea to a graft case over the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corporation.

A Radyo Inquirer 990AM report said that Mendoza appeared before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division in a wheelchair and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial was scheduled to begin on June 4 but Mendoza’s lawyer Alex Poblador said that they have filed a waiver of appearance so that his client would not have to appear during the hearing.

He said that although Mendoza was recovering after suffering a stroke earlier this year, the former DOTC secretary still had difficulties in speaking and walking.

For more of the report, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM.