Ex-mayor appeals graft conviction

MANILA, Philippines — A former municipal mayor in Quezon province has appealed before the Supreme Court (SC) his conviction for graft and falsification cases in connection with the release of P1 million for the procurement of kitchenware in 2008.

Former Lopez town mayor Isaias Ubana II and his co-accused, former municipal administrative assistant Ma. Bernadette Nieva and private respondent Leonardo Revuelta, filed their appeals on July 28, the Sandiganbayan said.

The accused also paid the necessary docket and other legal fees.

The anti-graft court said the respondents‘ appeals were approved and would be given due course as they filed it on time.

The clerk of court of the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division was directed to transmit the records of the case to the high tribunal.

Under the 2018 Revised Rules of the Sandiganbayan, the accused is required to notify the anti-graft court if he intends to challenge the decision before the SC.

The Sandiganbayan earlier denied the respondents’ motions for reconsideration filed on July 23, and affirmed their conviction for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices.

It upheld Ubana and Nieva’s conviction in the falsification of public document case.

All three respondents were sentenced to six to eight years in prison and disqualified from holding public office.

Ubana and Nieva were also sentenced to two to eight years in prison for the falsification offense.

The case stemmed from the municipal government’s payment of P1.005 million to the Revuelta Enterprises on Dec. 8, 2008 for the purchase of kitchenware.

The ombudsman said the full payment was released even as the items were not yet delivered.