Ex-Ecija gov seeks dismissal of graft charges

MANILA, Philippines - Former Nueva Ecija governor Tomas Joson III has asked the Sandiganbayan to dismiss the graft charges filed against him for donating vehicles to several municipalities in 2007.

In a motion filed recently before the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division, Joson said the prosecution failed to prove its allegations.

The charges against Joson stemmed from a complaint filed by Raymund Sarmiento, former chief of the provincial public affairs monitoring office.

Sarmiento alleged that on Jan. 22, 2007, the provincial council passed a resolution authorizing to donate heavy equipment to the municipal governments of Quezon, San Leonardo, Bongabon, Guimba, Talugtug and other municipalities.

Aside from heavy equipment, two luxury vehicles were allegedly included in the donation for Bongabon.

For Quezon town, the provincial government allegedly donated a mobile clinic, a Toyota Revo, a Ford F150 and a Nissan Urvan.

In filing the graft charges, the Office of the Ombudsman said Joson gave unwarranted benefits to the municipalities and disadvantage to the provincial government of Nueva Ecija.

Joson questioned the ombudsman’s decision, claiming the state wanted him convicted for committing an act of liberality when the vehicles were donated to the municipalities.  

He said the prosecution’s own testimonial evidence showed the donations, which he claimed were not disadvantageous, did not affect the provincial government.