Sandigan clears CamNorte guv of graft, convicts legal officer

In a ruling dated Sept. 25, the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division found provincial legal officer Sim O. Mata Jr. guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced him to six to 10 years in prison. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has acquitted the governor of Camarines Norte of graft charges stemming from the local government’s refusal to comply with a 2012 order from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to reinstate the provincial veterinarian back to his post.

In a ruling dated Sept. 25, the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division found provincial legal officer Sim O. Mata Jr. guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced him to six to 10 years in prison.

The court cleared Gov. Edgardo Tallado, saying that while he may have been negligent in heeding the recommendations of Mata, “the prosecution evidence fail to unequivocally show that his reliance on his subordinates was coupled with an ulterior, fraudulent and dishonest purpose”.

The complainant, provincial veterinarian Edgardo S. Gonzales was dropped from the rolls after Tallado, Mata and supervising administrative officer Mario T. de la Cruz ignored CSC’s orders to reinstate him.

Court records show that Gonzales had been reassigned as a provincial information officer in violation of his rights under the Magna Carta for Health Workers.

Tallado, for his part, claimed he had relied solely on the advice of his staff in deciding Gonzales’ case.

“It was the mandated duty of accused Mata Jr. as provincial legal officer, to soundly advise accused Tallado on all legal matters involving the province,” the ruling read.

In convicting Mata, the court said “the removal of Gonzales from the rolls of service without supporting documents, and without adherence to the procedures …shows evident bad faith and the criminal design” on his part.