“To impute criminal liability solely based on the endorsements—especially when the authenticity of the documents is in question and the signatures therein were admittedly forged—would be manifestly unjust," the court said.
The Sandiganbayan has acquitted Janet Napoles, former Masbate representative and now Masbate Governor Rizalina Lanete, and Lanete’s former chief-of-staff Jose Rosalinda Sumalpong of plunder over the misuse of Lanete’s P112-million priority development assistance fund.
“While evidence of Napoles' involvement and participation may be gleaned, the prosecution failed to prove that Lanete and Napoles ever met to discuss the scheme. Lanete was never personally seen by any prosecution witness at the offices of Napoles or JLN Corporation,” the Sandiganbayan said in an October 24 unanimous decision.
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