Sandigan affirms graft ruling vs ex-Nueva Ecija exec

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has upheld the conviction of a former councilor of Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija in connection with an extortion case filed against him in 2013.

Records showed that Angelito Saclolo Jr. demanded P300,000 from a contractor in exchange for the passage of a city ordinance that would allow the construction of cell sites of a major telecommunications company.

In a 19-page resolution promulgated on Oct. 25, the anti-graft court said Saclolo failed to raise any meritorious argument in his motion that sought to reverse a court ruling, which found him guilty of direct bribery.

Aside from Saclolo, the Sandiganbayan found former council secretary Alfredo Ortaleza guilty of the same offense.

The court said Ortaleza’s appeal was deemed moot as the cases against him were dismissed due to his death in December 2020.

The Sandiganbayan earlier sentenced Saclolo and Ortaleza to five to eight years in prison for direct bribery, and three to five years for violation of the Code of Conduct.

Aside from prison terms, the accused were barred from holding public office and ordered to pay a fine of P905,000 each.