MANILA - The Sandiganbayan has acquitted the incumbent mayor of San Fernando City, La Union on graft charges arising from a PHP38-million contract in 2018 for the rehabilitation of its plaza. In a 22-page decision dated November 29 written by Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna, the anti-graft court's Fourth Division, in clearing Hermenegildo Gualberto, said the prosecution failed to provide evidence that public bidding for the San Fernando City plaza upgrading project was undermined and likewise failed to "prove that the government suffered substantial damage". It also said the prosecution failed to prove that Gualberto gave unwarranted preference or advantage to the contractor, JD Madrid Construction, under the contract agreement. The anti-graft court also said Gualberto need not secure authorization from the Sangguniang Panglunsod since the transaction is covered by an earlier appropriation ordinance, citing precedents by the Supreme Court where the high tribunal said th