SC affirms conviction of 2 ex-Aerospace execs

MANILA, Philippines — Denying their appeal to overturn a recent Sandiganbayan ruling, two former officials of the government’s aerospace corporation have been convicted by the Supreme Court (SC) of graft for underselling aircraft parts that defrauded the government of P6 million.

In an 18-page decision, the SC affirmed the Sandiganbayan’s conviction of former Philippine Aerospace Development Corp. (PADC) president Danilo Crisologo and senior vice president Roberto Manlavi.

The SC ruled that Crisologo and Manlavi violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over the anomalous release of a PADC aircraft spare part to a private retailer in 2008, which in turn sold the part to the Philippine Navy.

Based on court records, Manlavi issued a memorandum in 2007 that reduced the selling prices for aircraft parts, which was not authorized by the PADC pricing committee and board of directors.

The PADC subsequently sold aircraft parts to Wingtips Part Corp. through a negotiated sale instead of public bidding.

The high tribunal said Crisologo and Manlavi committed gross negligence as it found all the elements of graft in the case.

“As correctly concluded by the Sandiganbayan, Crisologo and Manlavi unilaterally fixed the pricing guidelines based on a memorandum dated Nov. 16, 2007. These guidelines were not submitted to the PADC pricing policy committee nor the board of directors for consideration and approval,” the SC decision read.

The Sandiganbayan had sentenced Crisologo and Manlavi to up to 10 years in prison for graft and another six years for malversation.

They were also perpetually disqualified from holding public office.