Court affirms cops’ guilt in P38-M scam

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction for graft of nine police officers in connection with P38 million worth of “ghost” deliveries of police equipment and uniforms.

In a resolution handed down Monday, the antigraft court’s Fifth Division said the testimonies and documentary evidence presented at the trial clearly showed there was a conspiracy among the police officers to make it appear that deliveries were made when there were none.

The court also said the officers failed to present any new argument that would debunk the court’s earlier findings, which included the fact that the officers split the purchase orders among several suppliers so as to avoid inspections.

Those whose convictions were affirmed were former Philippine National Police (PNP) logistics head Chief Superintendent Evelino Nartatez, Senior Supt. Alejandro Espiritu Jr., Supt. Obedia Espena, Supt. Alejandro Camello, Chief Inspector Jose de Vera, Chief Inspector Adolfo Pamplona Sr., Senior Inspector Lloyd Cawan; Sr. Insp. Leo Marzan, and Police Officer 3 Ramon Lihay-Lihay.

The officers had appealed their conviction and contended, among other things, that the court had erred in giving credence to hearsay testimonies of two witnesses, in failing to consider certain pieces of evidence, and in using a Commission on Audit report because the latter was not given the chance to contravert it.

But in its resolution, the antigraft court said the testimonies of witnesses were not hearsay and were relevant to the issue of ghost deliveries.

The court said that aside from these testimonies, there was also documentary proof to back up the allegation that the officers were involved in the anomalous activity.

It also said the individual acts of the police officers, such as splitting the purchase orders and disbursement vouchers, certifying the items as inspected and delivered, and allowing payment for the items even though they were nonexistent, had shown their role in the conspiracy to defraud the government.