No immunity for Padaca–Sandigan

The Sandiganbayan has ruled out immunity as a defense for Commission on Elections Commissioner Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca who is facing graft and malversation charges before the anti-graft court.

The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division noted in its seven-page resolution that Padaca’s appointment to her Comelec post by President Benigno Aquino 3rd does not shield her from criminal prosecution since the offenses that she is charged with were committed while she was holding a different and elective position in the government.