Ex-Quirino gov appeals graft conviction

MANILA, Philippines - A former governor of Quirino province has asked the Sandiganbayan to reconsider its earlier decision convicting her of graft over the questionable purchase of second hand heavy equipment machineries in 1996 despite a provincial council’s recommendation to acquire brand new units. In her appeal, Josie Castillo-Co said she acted in good faith when she approved the purchase of Â¥160.42 million (Japanese yen) worth of reconditioned equipment and blamed lawyer Primo P. Marcos and Provincial Engineer Virgilio Ringor for giving her bad advice. “It is therefore humbly submitted that to send the accused Governor to prison for the opinion of Atty. Marcos, as the latter’s opinion now differ from that of the Honorable Court, is absolutely unfair,” defense lawyer Vicente Millora said. Co said the purchase contract for reconditioned heavy equipment was prepared by Ringor’s office and was already complete when brought to her table for signature. “The Governor then presumed that at that level, at the Office of the Provincial Engineer where there are lawyers also, the legality of the provisions in the Agreement, was well-considered and passed upon,” Millora said. He also called the court’s attention to the fact that it was the provincial engineer’s office that “initiated the purchase of heavy equipment and recommended Nakajima Trading Co. Ltd. as the supplier.” “It is humbly submitted that the fault or shortcomings of the personnel at the Office of the Provincial Engineer, the Provincial Engineer himself and Atty. Primo Marcos, may not be laid on the doorstep of the accused Governor,” Millora said. The anti-graft court in April 28, 2008 judged Co guilty of violating Section 3 (g) of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when she signed a purchase agreement with Nakajima Trading for ‘reconditioned’ bulldozer, backhoe, road grader, water tank, dump truck and a 10-wheeler trailer truck despite Resolution No. 120 passed by the provincial board dated on October 20, 1995 for the purchase of “brand new heavy equipment.” The graft court sentenced Co to a maximum jail term of nine years and ordered her to indemnify the Quirino provincial government the amount of P330,490.78 representing interest on illegal advance payment to supplier Nakajima Trading Co. Ltd. Likewise, the graft court imposed a lifetime ban against her election or appointment to public office. - GMANews.TV