THE Sandiganbayan's Sixth Division denied the motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence of former City of Naga mayor Valdemar Chiong over the alleged unlawful issuance of a mayor’s permit to a petroleum gas company back in 2014
In a resolution dated December 13, the Sandiganbayan junked the motion filed by Chiong’s camp as it failed to rebutt the prosecution's evidence that supported the guilty verdict against him.
“After a careful study of the documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the prosecution, the Court finds that, if unrebutted, the same is sufficient to support a verdict of guilt against accused Valdemar M. Chiong for violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019,” stated the Sandiganbayan ruling.
Following the denial of his motion, Chiong has been ordered by the Sandiganbayan to present his evidence or file a demurrer to evidence without leave of court.
If approved by the Sandiganbayan, Chiong would have been able to ask the court to dismiss the case due to lack of sufficient evidence.
But Chiong, in a separate interview, said he sees no problem in the Sandiganbayan’s decision to deny his motion.
Chiong told SunStar Cebu that with their motion dismissed, they have been given the chance to present their evidence to prove that the mayor’s permit he issued to Petronas back in 2014 was done legally.
Back in 2017, retired Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found Chiong guilty for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and even perpetually barring him from working again in government.
This stemmed from a complaint filed against him by Pryce Gas Inc., claiming that Chiong issued a conditional mayor’s permit to a competing company, Petronas even if the firm failed to present its Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC).
But Chiong contended that he issued the conditional business permit to Petronas as it was still awaiting its FSIC from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) which they complied eventually.