It submits the case for judgment based only on the prosecution’s evidence on the ground that the evidence does not warrant conviction. “Accordingly, the instant case against all the accused, including accused Salvador Pangilinan and accused Beda R. Aquino, is ordered dismissed,” the court said. It also lifted the hold departure order the court issued against the accused that barred them from leaving the country. Named respondents were Binay, former city councilor Pangilinan, former city administrator Santiago; former Makati General Services Department Head Aspillaga, Asia Concept former Chief Executive Officer Beda Aquino and its former Corporate Officer Bernadette Aquino. Associate Justice Roland Jurado, who leads the court’s Fifth Division, penned the ruling which was concurred in by Associate Justices Samuel Martires and Jose Hernandez.

Source: Manila Times November 03, 2016 10:34 UTC