Sandiganbayan junks raps vs ex-Pampanga mayor
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division has cleared former Mexico, Pampanga Mayor Teddy Tumang, six other officials and a trader of 64 counts of graft and seven counts of malversation of funds in connection with the purchase of construction materials in 2009 and 2010.
The antigraft court granted the demurrer to evidence by Tumang, dismissing also the criminal cases for lack of proof, according to the division’s resolution promulgated on Sept. 2.
Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg as well as Associate Justices Edgardo Caldona and Arthur Malabaguio signed the 32-page resolution, a copy obtained by the Inquirer on Thursday showed.
On account of the same cases, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the permanent disqualification of Tumang from government service in 2022, which the Court of Appeals favored in February. But last April, the Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of charges following the Sandiganbayan’s June 10, 2024, ruling that dismissed the same charges. The 64 graft charges were based on 64 disbursement vouchers.
Evidence not enough
The high court cited violation of their right to speedy disposition of cases.
In granting the demurrer, the Second Division said the “prosecution has failed to discharge its burden to present sufficient evidence to support a verdict of guilt against all accused.” It also ordered the return of bail bonds and lifting of hold departure orders against them.
Then municipal accountant Perlita Lagman; bids and awards committee (BAC) chair Marlon Maniacup; BAC vice chair Jesus Punzalan; members Romeo Razon, Lucila Agento, Luz Bondoc, and Wiliam Colis, owner of private contractor Buyu Trading and Construction; have been cleared together with Tumang.
