Court convicts Dingle mayor of corruption

THE Sandiganbayan’s Special Sixth Division convicted for graft Dingle, Iloilo Mayor Rufino Palabrica 3rd for issuing a business permit to his pharmacy and medical clinic at the municipal public market, and for entering into a contract of lease with it in 2014.

In a 43-page decision, the court found Palabrica guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. It sentenced him to six years and a month up to eight years in prison with perpetual disqualification to hold public office.