MANILA, Philippines — Oriental Mindoro First District Rep. Paulino Salvador Leachon has been acquitted of graft over the alleged illegal use of dump trucks owned by the Calapan City government when he was mayor in 2009. Also cleared of the charges were former city engineer Benjamin Acedera and private respondent Juan Viñas. The court had earlier dismissed the case filed against Ernesto Viñas, former chairman of Barangay Guinobatan due to his death last year. The court said the memorandum of understanding between Viñas and the city government stated that it shall deliver the dredged materials to his property. The Sandiganbayan said the prosecution also failed to established that Viñas was singled out by Leachon and his co-accused as the sole beneficiary of the dredged sand.

Source: Philippine Star April 24, 2019 16:00 UTC