Former Muntinlupa City Mayor Pedro cleared of P97M graft charge

Former Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and private respondent Angel Palmiery, general manager of Palmer-Asia Inc., have been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of a graft case involving the allegedly anomalous procurement of fire trucks worth P97.52 million from 2008 to 2009.

The anti-graft court’s Second Division dismissed the case due to the prosecution’s failure to prove the existence of corrupt intent, dishonest design, or unethical interest on the part of San Pedro and Palmiery. Specifically, they were acquitted of violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019, which prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefits to private parties or causing undue injury to any party, including the government.

The case originated from the procurement of three fire trucks and an aerial ladder truck from Palmer-Asia by the Muntinlupa City government through a loan from Land Bank of the Philippines. The ombudsman alleged that the city government paid Palmer-Asia P97.52 million in four tranches even before the vehicles were delivered, causing financial damage to the government.

However, the court found that the prosecution failed to establish malice or bad faith on the part of San Pedro. It noted that the procurement process had undergone various layers of review and that payments were made to Palmer-Asia only after the vehicles were delivered to the municipal government.

The court also observed that no irregularities were found in the awarding of the contract to Palmer-Asia, and there was no evidence to substantiate the prosecution’s claim that the loan incurred interest before the vehicles were put to use by the city government.

Overall, the court concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove the alleged graft charges against San Pedro and Palmiery, resulting in their acquittal.

Politics News: Former Muntinlupa City Mayor Pedro cleared of P97M graft charge