The Sandiganbayan has found a former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) executive director guilty of graft for receiving a P4.6-million bribe in exchange for an agency-issued permit.
The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division sentenced Samuel Jardin to spend six to 10 years in jail and ordered his perpetual disqualification from public office for violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
In an 88-page decision dated Aug. 14, Sandiganbayan said Jardin was guilty beyond reasonable doubt of graft and corruption based on the CCTV footage as a piece of evidence and the testimony of Michelle Sapangila, representative of the SM Tungko MOA Operators and Drivers, Inc.
The former LTFRB official was directed to return the P4.6 million he received to the Sandiganbayan, which is subject to a legal interest of 6% per annum “from the finality of judgment until fully paid.”
The complaint stemmed from a 2023 case filed against Jardin, who requested and received P4.6 million in 2019 from Sapangila to facilitate the release of a certificate of public convenience or a route measured capacity.
The certification would enable Sapangila to operate a public transport vehicle covering 32 vans.
“The Court also finds that the defense of denial raised by accused Jardin is not believable and not worthy of credence,” the decision read.
Jardin maintained that the third-party person whom Sapangila tapped to reach out to him was just a mere acquaintance.
Investigations showed that person was a principal sponsor during Jardin’s wedding in 1989.
