Ombudsman appeals ex- Cagayan mayor’s acquittal

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- The Office of the Ombudsman has urged the Sandiganbayan to reverse its ruling acquitting former Tuguegarao mayor Delfin Ting of graft in connection with the demolition of a public market in 2008.

In a 17-page motion for reconsideration filed before the second division of the anti-graft court, the Office of the Special Prosecutor said it had been proved beyond reasonable doubt that Ting ordered the demolition of the Tuguegarao City market without approval from the city council.

The OSP said the court erred when it sided with the defense that the city council authorized the demolition of the old market through Resolution 053-2008.


The prosecution maintained that the resolution only provided for the renovation of the public market.

The OSP said former city engineer Emilio Matanguihan Jr. had testified that the old market was transformed into a department store.

“Contrary to the intent of Resolution 053-2008, the constructed Mall of the Valley was different and cannot be considered an upgrade of the Tuguegarao City Central Market because the former was not devoted for the purpose to which the demolished building was devoted,” the prosecution said.