MANILA, Philippines – After being convicted for malversation of government funds last January 30, Sarangani provincial board member and close Manny Pacquiao ally Eugene Alzate wants to post bail so he can be released from the National Bilibid Prison.
Joining Alzate in his motion before the Sandiganbayan First Division are 3 of his co-accused: former Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members Hernando Sibugan, Marlind Marcelo, and Redempto Abiso.
The 4 were sentenced to life imprisonment after the court found them guilty of siphoning off government funds amounting to P475,000 in 2002.
They were also ordered to pay a P475,000 fine each and to jointly pay P475,000 in compensation to Sarangani province.
Facing the same charges are their co-accused: SP members Cornelio Martinez Jr, Lelibeth Canillo-Prospero, Juanito Purisima, and Jesus Desedilla; and former executive assistant Amelia Constantino-Zoleta.
During sentencing, defense lawyers Philip Pantojan and Rosenberg Palabasan asked the court to allow defendants to post double bail so they can remain free as they appeal the conviction.
But the court struck down the motion, saying the penalty of life imprisonment does not allow bail.
The 4 petitioners insisted that the prosecution’s evidence did not constitute proof beyond reasonable doubt since under the law, members of the provincial board do not have custody or control over public funds.
Alzate and Abiso also pointed out that there was still no testimony proving they personally accepted P20,000, supposedly their share of the “dirty trick” pulled off by prosecution witness Mary Ann Gadian.
They maintained that if the Sandiganbayan were to take another look at the evidence, they would find “substantial reasons to overturn…the erroneous conviction.” – Rappler.com
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