MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has junked the motion to dismiss the graft case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against a former Occidental Mindoro town mayor accused of buying an overpriced parcel of land in 2012.
In a three-page resolution dated Aug. 22, 2018, the Sandiganbayan Second Division dismissed the motion to quash information filed by former Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro Mayor Filemon Galsim for lack of merit.
The Ombudsman charged Galsim before the Sandiganbayan on Dec. 21, 2017 with violation of Section 3(g) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” for allegedly causing the sale of a sizeable parcel of land disadvantageous to the government.
In his motion, Galsim argued that the charges against him do not constitute an offense, claiming that, the graft case was not supported by evidence.
“The Court finds no merit in the Motion to Quash Information, etc.” the anti-graft court said.
The case stemmed from the sale of a 2,121-square-meter land in Poblacion II, Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro on May 9, 2012 in the amount of PHP702.70 per square meter or for a total of PHP1,491,832.
The Ombudsman claimed that the value of the real property within the area was only PHP580 per square meter, resulting in an overprice of PHP260,492.10.
“Wherefore, premises considered the Motion to Quash Information (With Entry of Appearance of Counsel) dated July 20, 2018, filed by accused Filemon M. Galsim, through counsel, is hereby denied,” the Sandiganbayan said.