Ex-Ecija governor, 2 mayors cleared of graft

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has reversed the conviction for graft of former Nueva Ecija governor Tomas Joson III and two town mayors in connection with the unlawful donation of vehicles.

The anti-graft court’s Special Seventh Division acquitted Joson and former mayors Eduardo Basilio Joson and Amelia Gamilla, of Quezon and Bongabon towns, respectively.

In a 50-page resolution issued recently, the court said it reconsidered its previous ruling as the alleged improper use of donated vehicles was not included in the charge sheet.

“The accusatory portion of the information referred only to the act of donating and accepting as the source of the alleged gross disadvantage,” the court said.

The resolution, signed by Associate Justice Georgina Hidalgo, said Joson was authorized by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to donate the vehicles to the municipal governments of Quezon and Bongabon.

“Whatever happened after the donation is no longer within his control and responsibility,” the court said, referring to Joson.

Aside from Joson, the anti-graft court also cleared his nephew Eduardo and Gamilla for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Earlier, Joson was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for donating the provincial government’s vehicles to his nephew and Gamilla’s municipality.