SC upholds conviction of 2 gov’t execs for graft
THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the conviction of two former officials of the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) for graft following their involvement in the underselling of aircraft parts that made the national government lose P6 million.
In an 18-page decision penned by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, the high court’s second division upheld the ruling of the Sandiganbayan which found Danilo R. Crisologo and Roberto L. Manlavi guilty of violating Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The anti-graft court sentenced them to a maximum prison term of 10 years, and are now perpetually disqualified to hold any public office.
PADC, a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) tasked to establish a reliable aviation and aerospace industry, sells all forms of aircraft and aviation/aerospace devices, equipment, and contraptions.
The SC stressed that the Sandiganbayan’s decision was correct inasmuch as all the elements of graft under RA 3019 Section 3 (e) were present in the case.
These elements are: (1) the accused is a public officer; (2) manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or inexcusable negligence; and (3) undue injury to any party, including the government, or unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference in favor of a private party.
