Sandiganbayan acquits Pampanga mayor

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has acquitted Guagua, Pampanga, Mayor Dante Datu Torres of technical malversation in the P2.76-million rehabilitation of Manuel P. Santiago Park.

Torres was initially charged with violating Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code for disbursing some P2.76 million in July 2014 for the upgrade and rehabilitation of the said park, even though a municipal ordinance was allegedly issued earmarking the amount for the rehabilitation of the Aurelio Tolentino Frontage Area and the purchase of a refrigerator van and heavy equipment.

However, the court said the evidence presented by the prosecution did not prove there was an actual specific appropriation for the said amount. —Patricia Denise M. Chiu