ANTIQUE – The Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division has dismissed the graft complaint filed against Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
Criminal Case No. SB-23-CRM-0060 accused Cadiao of alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Based on the publicized one-page dispositive portion of the Sandiganbayan resolution on Friday, Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta signed the 16-page resolution.
Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses and Georgina Hidalgo concurred.
“The Omnibus Motion for Reconsideration of the Resolution dated 21 September 2023 and the request for dismissal of the case due to a lack of jurisdiction by the accused Rhodora Javier Cadiao are granted,” read part of the Sandiganbayan resolution.
Gomez-Estoesta also ordered the release of Cadiao’s cash bond, which had been deposited at the Municipal Trial Court in Kidapawan City, Cotabato amounting to P90,000.
The earlier issued preventive suspension order on Cadiao was also lifted, and the directive to the Department of Interior and Local Government to enforce the suspension had been rescinded.
Responding to these events, Cadiao took to her Facebook Page to convey her gratitude to her supporters.
“Duro-duro gid nga salamat sa inyo pangamuyo kag pagpalangga nga wara gid nag lubad (A heartfelt thank you for your prayers and unwavering support),” Cadiao wrote.
On Sept. 21, 2023 the Sandiganbayan ordered a 90-day preventive suspension on Cadiao.
The corruption charge against the governor stemmed from her 2016 decision to transfer Provincial General Services Office head Antonio Dela Vega to a satellite office in Culasi town, a significant distance from the provincial capitol in San Jose de Buenavista.
Dela Vega viewed this as constructive dismissal and challenged its legality with the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Although the CSC ordered Dela Vega’s reinstatement in March 2017, he filed a complaint against Cadiao in 2018 with the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas when he did not receive his benefits.
The Ombudsman found probable cause to charge Cadiao with a violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019.
An arrest warrant for Cadiao was issued on June 7 of this year by Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division, but she was able to post bail in Kidapawan City, Cotabato./PN