THE Sandiganbayan has denied a bid by the Philippine government to reinstate former Energy Minister Geronimo Velasco, Manila Bulletin owner Emilio T. Yap, and former Jai Alai Corp director Olympio Bermudez as defendants in a 37-year old ill-gotten wealth case.
In a resolution dated June 5, 2024 but released only this week, the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division affirmed its February 23, 2024 resolution granting demurrers to evidence filed by the heirs of Velasco, the joint administrators of the Estate of Yap, and Bermudez.
“The Court has already ruled …that the plaintiff has failed to prove by preponderance of evidence the allegations against defendants Yap, Velasco and Bermudez. The plaintiff (Republic of the Philippines) also did not present any new evidence or arguments. Again, mere allegations which are unsubstantiated by evidence are not equivalent to proof,” the Sandiganbayan said.
Civil Case No. 0010, filed way back 1987, alleged that the defendants acted as “dummies, nominees, agents, incorporators, directors, board members and/or stockholders” of corporations beneficially held or controlled by the Marcos couple and former Tacloban City mayor Alfredo Romualdez, brother of former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
Among the companies mentioned in the suit were the Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Company (Baseco) Manila International Ports Terminal Inc. (MIPTI), Philippine Jail Alai and Amusement Corp. (PJAC), and Philippine Dockyard Corp. (PDC).
In granting the respondents’ demurrer to evidence, the Sandiganbayan noted that government witnesses Maria Lourdes Magno, head of the PCGG’s Library and Records Division, and Antonio Rolando Eduarte, administrative officer, simply identified and authenticated documentary exhibits marked by the plaintiff Republic of the Philippines despite lack of personal knowledge about their contents or due execution.
