Neri waives right to give evidence in ZTE graft case

Former National Economic Development Authority (Neda) director general Romulo Neri has urged the Sandiganbayan to acquit him in the graft case brought against him by the Office of the Ombudsman in relation with the scuttled $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project with China’s ZTE Corp. in 2007.

In his demurrer to evidence, Neri argued that he should not be faulted criminally for enjoying a round of golf with former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Benjamin Abalos, during which the latter allegedly tried to bribe him to ensure the implementation of the graft-tainted deal.

With the filing of his petition, the ex-Neda chief dispensed with the presentation of his own evidence due to the alleged failure of Ombudsman prosecutors to provide strong evidence to hold him liable for violation of Republic Act No. 3019, more known as the Antigraft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“The prosecution has failed to present clear and convincing evidence or proof beyond reasonable doubt that (the) accused has a financial interest in the NBN-ZTE contract,” Neri said in a 17-page motion that his lawyer filed before the antigraft court’s Fifth Division.

He said government lawyers also did not show proof that he personally benefited from the “commissions” or kickbacks which the ZTE officials allegedly gave to some members of the Arroyo administration.

“The very evidence of the prosecution has proven that these commissions were only shared among (a) Filipino group and accused Neri was not even a part of this group,” his petition read.