THE totality of evidence presented by government prosecutors in multiple graft and malversation charges against former Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino, if unrebutted, can result in a conviction.
The Sandiganbayan made this pronouncement in a resolution promulgated March 4, 2021 but released only yesterday.
“After a careful study of the records of the case and the evidence submitted by the prosecution, the Court finds that if unrebutted, is sufficient to support a verdict of guilt against Rodolfo V. Antonino,” the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division said.
Associate Justice Kevin Narce B. Vivero penned the ruling, concurred in by Associate Justices Sarah Jane T. Fernandez and Bayani H. Jacinto, denying the motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence filed by the defendant.
Antonino is accused of misuse of P14.55 million sourced from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel allocations in 2007.
Named co-defendants were former National Agribusiness Corp (Nabcor) president Alan Javellana, vice president Rhodora Mendoza, human resource supervisor Encarnita-Cristina Monsod, and private persons Marilou Antonio and Carmelita Barredo, representing Buhay Mo Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. (BMMKFI) and CC Barredo Enterprises, respectively.
Prosecutors said the money went to a bogus procurement of 7,275 livelihood technology kits supposedly for distribution among residents of Antonino’s legislative district.
The first tranche of P13.095 million was released on March 19, 2007 followed by P1.455 million on April 24, 2007.
