Sandigan acquits Cagayan ex-mayor over market mess

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The Sandiganbayan has acquitted a former mayor of this city in connection with the demolition of a public market in 2008.


In a 22-page decision penned by Justice Samuel Martires, the anti-graft court said there was “no manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence” on the part of Delfin Ting when he implemented a city council resolution to demolish the market.

“The demolition of the old market is indispensable in the implementation of the upgrading project. The approved building design for the upgrade cannot be done without totally tearing down the old market,” the court ruling stated.

Engineer Robert Guzman, who filed the case, said the demolition was disadvantageous to the city government.

He said the city council approved only the upgrading of the market and not its demolition.

Guzman added that the project was approved to benefit Ting’s hotel across the market.

However, the court said Ting could not be solely held liable for the demolition when the council knew the design of the market.