MANILA, Philippines — There is sufficient evidence to convict Surigao del Sur Vice Gov. Librado Navarro of graft over the alleged anomalous procurement of a heavy equipment worth P14.7 million when he was mayor of Bislig City in 2012, according to the Sandiganbayan. In a resolution promulgated on July 9, the anti-graft court’s second division said the evidence presented by the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution panel are strong enough. The court denied Navarro’s motion to file a demurrer to evidence, which would have allowed him to seek the dismissal of the case without presenting his defense. Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017, the case stemmed from the city government’s purchase of a hydraulic excavator worth P14.7 million from RDAK Transport Equipment Inc.

Source: Philippine Star July 20, 2019 20:04 UTC