Tuguegarao mayor acquitted of graft

The Sandiganbayan’s First Division acquitted Mayor Jefferson Soriano of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan in a graft case over his issuance of a provisional permit to operate a parking/transport terminal in favor of One Way Parking Terminal, Inc. (OWPTI) in 2013.

“Anent the allegation that the accused acted with manifest partiality by giving unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in favor of OWPTI, no evidence was adduced to show that the accused mayor had a hand in the choice of the terminals to which the transport groups were to transfer,” part of the 36-page decision said.