THE Sandiganbayan Third Division has acquitted a former technical inspector of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) of charges of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds about the alleged misuse of the pork barrel funds of an Iloilo lawmaker.
In a 34-page resolution dated September 5, 2025, the anti-graft court held that accused Danilo dela Rosa did not commit anything unlawful in connection with the anomalous procurement of 1,582 units of Nokia 1100 in March 2005 from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations of then Iloilo Rep. Judy Syjuco.
The court noted that Dela Rosa’s participation in the transaction was limited to verifying that the items delivered by the supplier to the procuring entity matched those specified in the purchase order.
During the trial, he clarified that he had no role in the purchase of the mobile units but was designated by the Telecommunications Office to inspect the deliveries from West Island Beverages Distributor.
This runs counter to the allegation in the information that he falsified the inspection report and participated in awarding the contract without public bidding.
“The court finds that the records do not establish that accused Dela Rosa, with evident bad faith, manifest partiality, or gross inexcusable negligence, participated in awarding the contract for the supply of communications equipment,” the Sandiganbayan said.
Prosecutors banked on the testimony of former Sta. Barbara, Iloilo mayor Isabelo Maquino that there was no delivery of mobile phones in his town, as well as the absence of a distribution list.
But the same witness admitted that several boxes of Nokia 1100 cellular mobile phones arrived at the municipality in 2005 although he refused to receive them because he made no request for such equipment.
With the prosecution’s own witness testifying to establish Dela Rosa’s defense, the Sandiganbayan said the requirement for proof beyond reasonable doubt to secure a conviction was not attained.
