Sandiganbayan: Evidence strong vs Pampanga town mayor

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has warned Mayor Dante Torres of Guagua, Pampanga that the pieces of evidence presented against him by the Office of the Ombudsman are sufficient to warrant his conviction if these remain unrebutted.

In a ruling promulgated this week, the court denied Torres’ motion for leave to file a demurrer to evidence, which would allow him to seek the dismisal of a malversation case filed against him without presenting counter-evidence.

In his motion, Torres said the pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution were weak.

The case stemmed from Torres’ alleged unauthorized disbursement of P2.76 million in public funds.

The ombudsman said the fund was originally intended for the rehabilitation of a monument of a local playwright, purchase of a refrigerator van and repair of the municipal hall’s heavy equipment.

Anti-graft investigators said Torres used the funds to upgrade and rehabilitate a public park.