Court convicts ex-Laguna gov Estregan of graft
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Fri, 05 Apr 2019 10:29:52 +0000
THE Sandiganbayan Fourth Division convicted former Laguna governor George Estregan and others of graft in connection with an insurance deal in 2008 when he was municipal mayor of Pagsanjan.
The deal, which was entered into with First Rapids Care Ventures (FRCV), was for accident protection and financial assistance to tourists and boatmen plying the route to and from the Pagsanjan Gorge Transit Zone.
In a 42-page decision promulgated on Friday, the court found Estregan; then-municipal councilors Arlyn Lazaro-Torres, Terryl Gamit-Talabong, Kalahi Rabago, Erwin Sacluti, and Gener Dimaranan; and then-FCRV owner and proprietor Marilyn Bruel guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Sec. 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and sentenced them to six years and a month up to eight years in prison.
“Based on the facts as established above, accused Estregan’s actions were attended by evident bad faith, in that there was a clear and conscious transgression of procurement laws per the Local Government Code and RA 9184. He likewise exhibited manifest partiality in favor of accused Bruel’s company by declaring its capacity, which is equivalent to pre-qualification, to render the said service,” the court said in part.
It added that his fault was further accentuated by the fact that FCRV was not authorized to engage in the insurance business.
“Here, the evidence on record sufficiently illustrates the unity in purpose of accused Estregan, as [then-]Municipal Mayor, and the other accused as Sangguniang Bayan [municipal council] members, towards awarding the contract for APA (Accident Protection Assistance) services to accused Bruel exactly on 23 October 2008 and grant it all the vestiges of authority despite the lack of actual qualification of her company and the undue transgression of procurement laws,” it also said.
Meanwhile, the court acquitted Crisostomo Villar as it found that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. REINA C. TOLENTINO
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