Convicted ex-Neda official appeals for lighter penalty

The Sandiganbayan Centennial Building in Quezon City. (INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has reconsidered its earlier decision denying a former National Economic Development Authority (Neda) regional director’s request to render community service instead of spending six months in prison for sexual harassment.

The anti-graft court’s Third Division, in a nine-page resolution dated Jan. 12, set a hearing for Jose Romeo Escandor’s application on March 1.

“The proposed community service program shall take into consideration the age and medical condition of the accused applicant,” said the resolution penned by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, the division chair, and concurred in by Associate Justices Bernelito Fernandez and Ronald Moreno.

The 70-year-old Escandor, who said he suffers from diabetes, is currently out on bail. Last September, the court denied his plea for community service instead of a six-month prison term after he was found guilty of sexually harassing a female staffer in 2013.

In denying his motion, the Sandiganbayan pointed out that his application was not compliant with the requirements under the Community Service Act. But it said he could file another application.

Escandor had wanted to serve in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, his home village, but this was not the place where the crime was committed, the court said.

In his second motion, the court noted that he was able to comply with the requirements. It also ordered the Neda Central Visayas office based in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, to submit a proposed community service program and rehabilitative counseling schedule before the hearing.