Amas, Kidapawan City – The anti-graft court has dismissed the graft complaint against Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco for lack of evidence.
According to a decision issued by Sandiganbayan 4th Division dated January 19, 2021, “the evidence of the prosecution against accused Catamco, as it stands, is insufficient to establish her participation in the alleged crime, through conspiracy, even by circumstantial evidence”.
The court “took a second hard look at the evidence on record” and is convinced that the withdrawal of the Information filed against Governor Catamco for Violation of Sec. 3(c) of Republic Act No. 3019 known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act is warranted.
The prosecution failed to prove “beyond reasonable doubt, or even the probability of guilt sufficient to bind the accused to stand trial given the fact that the Articles of Partnership is the sole evidence against her”.
The resolution further maintained that “due consideration of the arguments and jurisprudence presented and a thorough re-examination of the case” were conducted and found that the evidence were not enough to establish her involvement.
It can be recalled that in 2018 charges were filed against Governor Catamco, she was then 2nd District Representative, over an alleged “conspiracy by circumstantial evidence” on the 2004 fertilizer scam when she was still a private citizen.
Nearly two (2) months after her official assumption to office in 2019 as the newly elected Governor of Cotabato Province, a 90-day temporary preventive suspension was issued unto her. The governor was reinstated to office in November 2019.
“Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan,” the governor said in a radio interview via radio station DXND, Tuesday January 26. She said she is even more excited to serve the people and work towards uplifting their lives and sustaining the needs of their families especially during this time of pandemic.//idcd-pgo//
