THE Sandiganbayan has convicted a former mayor from Laguna and three other local officials on alleged irregularities in the bidding for a P36-million automation project for the Lucena City government’s revenue generation system in 2002. In a 74-page decision penned by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, the Sandiganbayan Third Division sentenced ex-Lucena City mayor Ramon Talaga to an imprisonment of six years. Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez concurred with the decision. The anti-graft court found Talaga and the rest guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegally awarding the contract to IT-firm Amellar Solutions without a public bidding. The Sandiganbayan also meted out perpetual disqualification from holding any other public office against the four convicted officials.

Source: The Standard November 01, 2017 13:52 UTC