Cotabato governor pleads not guiltyNorth Cotabato Gov. Mendoza, who posted bail, was arraigned on Thursday and the court set preliminary conferences to November 2, 3, 4 and 9 where the parties will mark documentary evidence. The governor allegedly approved the release of P2.4 million from provincial funds to pay for 49,526.72 liters of fuel used for one road grader and four dump trucks used in road rehabilitation projects that took two days. During preliminary investigation, Mendoza in her defense said she relied upon the Bids and Awards Committee’s determination that direct contracting was justified under the circumstances. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza entered a not-guilty plea to graft charges she is facing before the Sandiganbayan’s First Division in connection with allegedly illegal procurement of diesel fuel in 2010.

Source: Manila Times July 28, 2016 12:11 UTC