MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has dismissed graft allegations against former Isabela State University (ISU) president Aleth Mamauag concerning the 2012 purchase of a PHP5.1 million lot.
In a resolution released on March 12, the anti-graft court’s Second Division ruled in favor of dismissing the case, which originated from an anonymous complaint.
The complainant claimed that while PHP5.1 million had been partially paid for the property, the ISU Board of Regents had only approved PHP4.5 million, and the property’s total cost was PHP6.2 million.
Mamauag defended the acquisition, stating that the Board of Regents collectively approved the purchase, and the higher price was due to buying a larger lot.
The court granted the demurrer to evidence, noting a lack of proof that Mamauag acted in bad faith or manipulated the board for personal gain. Witness testimonies were deemed too vague, and the court highlighted that board safeguards allowed members to question the transaction, which they did not.
“The decisions were group resolutions, not unilateral acts,” the court emphasized.
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