The Supreme Court acquitted last week former Mayor Ignacio Taruc of Buguey, Cagayan for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 3019, of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
In the resolution dated Aug. 29, 2018, the Supreme Court’s First Division granted Taruc’s petition for review on certiorari and reversed and set aside the decision of Sandiganbayan, which sentenced Taruc to 10 years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.
The case arose from the refusal of Taruc to pay and sign the checks for the salaries of the five employees of the Office of the Vice Mayor from the period of July to August 2007.
The Supreme Court held that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the elements of manifest partiality or evident bad faith and undue injury.
“Absent these elements, petitioner cannot be found guilty of violating Section 3 (e) of RA No. 3019,” the Supreme Court stated.