MANILA, Philippines — The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has cleared former Igbaras, Iloilo mayor Jaime Esmeralda of a criminal case over the alleged unimplemented road rehabilitation project in 2004. “Neither did the accused private individuals unduly benefitted from the project,” it added. The court said the prosecution also failed to support with convincing evidence its allegation of conspiracy among the accused. The ombudsman said the accused public officials gave unwarranted benefits to Romualdo and Go, for payments made despite the projects' non-implementation. Following their acquittal, the court ordered the lifting of the hold departure order issued against all the accused.

Source: Philippine Star November 01, 2017 06:00 UTC