Published March 11, 2021, 12:12 PM
Despite invoking the “effects” of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on them, the plea of a former mayor and four other officials to plead guilty to a lesser offense in the graft case filed against them was denied by the Sandiganbayan.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Former Mayor Orville Fua of Lazi town in Siquijor and his co-accused told the Sandiganbayan that the COVID-19 pandemic made them realized that “nothing is more precious than living a quiet uncomplicated life.”
They said they wished to put an end to the issues and stress involved in their graft case, as well as the expenses of a full-blown litigation, by allowing them to plead guilty to a lesser offense of violation of Section 108 of Presidential Decree No. 1445, the Government Auditing Code, instead of undergoing trial on charges of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.