Sandiganbayan convicts deceased ex-mayor
The Sandiganbayan has convicted a deceased former mayor while acquitting two other individuals in of violation of Section 5 (d) of Presidential Decree 449 also known as the Cockfighting Law of 1974.
In its decision dated 5 December, the Sandiganbayan Second Division found Joelito Talaid, former mayor of Kadingilan, Bukidnon, guilty beyond reasonable doubt and was also sentenced to pay a fine of P6,000.
Talaid was ambushed by an unknown assailant in December last year.
In the case of deceased convictions, the
Court has to get a copy of a notice of his death. Death of a convicted official also writes off the criminal case.
The Office of the Ombudsman charged Talaid for said violation, along with former Vice Mayor Nestor Baliguat Sr. and Dionisio Ranque, acting owner and operator Kadingilan Cockers Association for allowing the holding of cockfight in an unlicensed cockpit by issuing a special permit without the approval of the Philippine National Police in 2010.
Baliguat and Ranque were acquitted of the crime for insufficient evidence.
“From the evidence presented by the prosecution, the Court is not prepared to conclude that conspiracy existed among the accused.”
“The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the community of criminal design among all the accused.”
It said the mere presence of Baliguat and Ranque in the unlicensed cockpit on 4 July 2010 does not warrant the conclusion that they conspired with Talaid.
“Other than their presence, the prosecution did not present any evidence to prove that accused Baliguat and Ranque conspired with accused Talaid.”
The Court authorized the release to Baliguat and Ranque the amounts they deposited as bail for their provisional liberty.