Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 24) — The Sandiganbayan cleared former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala of ₱13.5 million graft charges filed against him over an “irregular” accreditation of a farmer’s foundation.
In a decision dated Aug. 23, the anti-graft court’s sixth division said Alcala “is acquitted of the charge of violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. No. 3019 purely on reasonable doubt.” That section of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act lists corrupt acts of public officers.
The section states that “[c]ausing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”
In an information submitted by the Ombudsman in 2018, Alcala was accused of collaborating with his then-head executive assistant Laureano Mañalac in accrediting Isa Akong Magsasaka Foundation Inc. (IAMFI) as a DA development partner, which earned the group ₱13.5 million in funding.
Mañalac was found to be an incorporator of the foundation, which is “highly irregular” and in violation of a Commission on Audit memorandum.
The IAMFI also submitted “unauthenticated” articles of incorporation along with its application for accreditation, according to prosecutors.The prosecution said Alcala should be held liable “for damaged sustained by government because he accredited IAMFI as a DA Development Partner and entered into a MOA (memorandum of agreement), as DA head with IAMFI in violation of law.”“The court, however, is compelled on reasonable doubt grounds to acquit Alcala of the crime as he claims to have relied on multiple layers of review by his subordinates,” the court’s decision read, which was written by Associate Justice Karl Miranda.Meanwhile, Mañalac was found guilty of violating the same provision of the anti-graft law.“He is sentenced to suffer the indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) month, as a minimum, to ten (10) years, as maximum, with perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” the Sandiganbayan said.
