The Sandiganbayan Third Division has affirmed the conviction of former Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa and five other officials in their graft case involving the purchase of P131 million worth of rubber boats and outboard motors in 2008.
In a decision promulgated on Tuesday, the anti-graft court denied the motions for reconsideration filed by Verzosa and his co-accused Benjamin Belarmino, Jefferson Soriano, Luizo Ticman, Villamor Bumanglag, and Romeo Hilomen.
The court said there was “no cogent reason to disturb the assailed decision” promulgated on June 25, 2021, which found the former police officials guilty of violating Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
In his appeal, Verzosa invoked the “Arias doctrine” and good faith by saying that as the PNP chief, he was not involved in the nitty-gritty of the procurement process.
He also stated he was not a member of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), which determines the eligibility of the suppliers of the rubber boats.
The prosecution countered that Verzosa was indicted in his official capacity as the head of the procuring entity, who had the responsibility and discretion on the recommendations of the BAC and effect payments on approved transactions.
The court, however, insisted in its ruling that Verzosa should have noticed the financial weakness of the suppliers and the functional incompatibility of the rubber boats and outboard motors.
“Instead, he remained silent, thus, his actions clearly showed manifest partiality,” the court said in the decision penned by Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez, concurred by Presiding Justice and Division Chairperson Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Ronald Moreno.
Verzosa and the former police officials were sentenced by the court last year to six to eight years in prison and ordered perpetually disqualified from holding public office.
Accused Ronald Roderos was acquitted due to insufficiency of evidence, while the case for accused Herold Ubalde was dismissed due to his death.