Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 24) — The Sandiganbayan has dropped a graft case filed against Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao for lack of jurisdiction.
“It is the regional trial court which has exclusive original jurisdiction to try the criminal case,” the court said.
The anti-graft court’s Seventh Division granted Cadiao’s motion for case dismissal in a resolution dated Oct. 20.
It also lifted a preventive suspension order against Cadiao.
The governor faced graft charges for supposedly ordering the illegal transfer of Provincial General Services Office head Antonio dela Vega to a satellite office.
She also supposedly refused to pay his salary and benefits from 2016 to 2018.
The Sandiganbayan agreed with Cadiao’s position that it had no jurisdiction over the case. She argued that the criminal information against her does not claim any damage to the government or bribery.
