Sandiganbayan
(MANILA BULLETIN)
In a resolution issued last March 5, the anti-graft court denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the prosecution on the 2020 ruling that granted Garcia’s demurrer to evidence.
A demurrer to evidence is filed by an accused in a criminal case on the ground of weakness of the prosecution’s evidence to sustain a conviction.
Under the rules, the grant of a demurrer to evidence is tantamount to the acquittal of the accused.
In its March 5 resolution, the Sandiganbayan said:
“A thorough examination of the motion reveals that it is a subtle attempt to have this Court review purported errors of judgment or those involving mis-appreciation of evidence and factual antecedents.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In clearing Cañeda, the anti-graft court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that there was manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence on his part in the distribution of the funds.
Written by Associate Justice Michael Frederick L. Musngi, the court’s resolution stated that Cañeda did not abuse his authority in transferring to beneficiaries the P49 million he received for the implementation of the Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Project (FIFIP) of the DA.
Cañeda was charged with violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for causing undue injury to the government in the amount of P4 million.