Ilocos mayor cleared of graft, guilty of fraud

THE Sandiganbayan has overturned the graft conviction of a former Ilocos Sur mayor, but declared him guilty of fraud against public treasury.

In effect, the anti-graft court allowed the former mayor to evade imprisonment and apply for probation.

The court favored the motion for reconsideration of former Narvacan, Ilocos Norte mayor Zuriel Zaragoza on the basis of reasonable doubt.

However, Zaragoza was found guilty of violation of Article 213, paragraph 1 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, or frauds against the public treasury.