SC clears ex-Panglao mayor of graft

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

TAGBILARAN CITY — The Supreme Court (SC) has acquitted a former mayor of Panglao town in Bohol province of graft and corruption.

In a nine-page resolution promulgated Dec. 7, 2022, but was made available to the public on Jan. 25, the SC reversed its previous decision and ruled that Doloreich Dumaluan was innocent of the charges filed against him.

The former chief local executive was charged with graft for allegedly refusing to grant a locational clearance to a resort seeking to expand its facilities in 2005.

Dumaluan, a physician by profession, said he was happy with the outcome of the case that lasted for 15 years.

“It was a lonely battle between David and Goliath. It was a great victory of truth and justice,” he said.

The SC granted Dumaluan’s motion for reconsideration after finding merit in his contention that he had no authority to issue a locational clearance or certification to Bohol Resort Development Incorporated, former owner and operator of the Bohol Beach Club.

The Sandiganbayan earlier convicted Dumaluan of violating Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

He was sentenced to six years and one month to 10 years of imprisonment. He was also perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

The SC affirmed the anti-graft court’s decision in a decision dated June 10, 2020.

In his motion for reconsideration, Dumaluan, represented by his lawyer Roland Inting, asserted that there was no existing statute nor an ordinance that vested in him the power to issue the clearance.

“Since petitioner had no authority to issue the locational clearance/certification, his refusal to issue the same was therefore justified,” the court said.

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