The Sandiganbayan has ordered a former mayor of Naga City, Cebu to present evidence in his favor instead of seeking an outright dismissal of his case.
Former mayor Valdemar Chiong was accused of illegally issuing a mayor’s permit to an unqualified liquefied petroleum gas dealer in 2014.
The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division, in a resolution dated Dec. 13, junked Chiong ’s motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence.
Its approval would have allowed him to seek reconsideration or appeal should the court find him guilty after approving the demurrer to evidence.
The Sandiganbayan said Chiong could still file a demurrer at the expense that “he shall waive his right to present evidence and is submitting this case for judgment on the basis of the evidence adduced by the prosecution.”
Chiong was accused of graft for issuing a mayor’s permit in favor of Petronas Energy Philippines despite the firm’s failure to present a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.
The Sandiganbayan said the evidence and witnesses of the prosecution was enough to find Chiong guilty unless successfully rebutted in court.
“After a careful study of the documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the prosecution, the Court finds that, if unrebutted, the same is sufficient to support a verdict of guilt against accused Valdemar Chiong for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019,” the Sandiganbayan said.