THE Sandiganbayan has upheld the decision of the Balayan, Batangas Regional Trial Court convicting a deputized public land inspector of Calaca, Batangas on charges of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and estafa for demanding and receiving cash from applicants for land titles in 2008.
The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division said the guilt of defendant Adiotor Infante, an employee of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) – Calaca, was proven beyond reasonable doubt through testimonies of witnesses that he lied to them that he could have their properties titled despite having no authority to make it happen.
Likewise, it noted that the “straightforward and categorical statements” of the complainants that they suffered an injury in the amount of P165,000 after paying the accused P90,000 and P75,000 for the land titles that he failed to deliver.
“Infante took advantage of his official position by defrauding private complainants by inducing and promising them that he can process the titles of the lots in exchange for money. Infante did not dispute the fact that he offered to process the titles of the properties,” the Sandiganbayan said in its 25-page decision dated November 26, 2024.
During the trial, the accused admitted that he did not have the authority to do a land survey, title, and accept payments from private persons for any transactions before the CENRO-Calaca, Batangas.
That he still assured the complainants that he could process the titles in exchange for money was deemed by the court as “a deliberate intent to do wrong or cause damage.”
“Clearly, Infante fraudulently misrepresented that he had power, influence, and qualifications to process and grant the land titles of the properties. His misrepresentation contemplates a fraudulent and deceitful act under Estafa. It is clear that such false pretense came before the private complainants paid P90,000 and P75,000 for the processing of the titles,” the Sandiganbayan added.
The court affirmed the sentence of six to ten years imprisonment imposed by the Balayan RTC in the graft case but modified the penalty in the estafa case to one month and one day to seven months due to the mitigating circumstance of Infante’s voluntary surrender.
He was also ordered to pay back the entire P165,000 to the private complainants as actual damages subject to six percent interest each year from the finality of the decision until paid in full.
