Sandiganbayan Acquits Benjamin Abalos Sr. On $329-million NBN-ZTE Deal Graft
The Sandiganbayan acquits Benjamin Abalos Sr., former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman, of his connection to the $329-million National Broadband Network-ZTE Corp. (NBN-ZTE) deal graft, Wednesday, May 11, 2016.
According to Manila Bulletin, Abalos has been charged with graft for allegedly using government position in order to push through the contract of the NBN-ZTE deal.
The report says that Abalos allegedly offered P200 million as “bribe” to the former Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri for the approval of the NBN-ZTE deal.
But, recently, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division found Benjamin Abalos “not guilty” of the charges of graft filed against him.
Sandiganbayan said that the prosecution failed “prove beyond reasonable doubt” the charges filed on him.
The NBN-ZTE deal includes the allegations of corruption in the pursuing of the $329-million construction deal to the Chinese Telecommunications company ZTE for the supposed National Broadband Network managed by the Philippine government.
With the irregularities emerged, the former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had to cancel the NBN project in October 2007.
Arroyo cancelled the deal since whistle-blowers came out like Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr. revealed the anomalies regarding the deal.
According to Philstar, although Abalos has been cleared in the case, he is still facing other graft charges related to the NBN-ZTE deal.
Meanwhile, he is still thankful about the Sandiganbayan for acquitting him.
“It was a mixed emotion. I cannot help myself but cried when the verdict was read. I was also happy that justice has prevailed,” he said.
What do you think of this decision by the Sandiganbayan of acquitting Abalos of the NBN-ZTE deal graft charges?
Do you think it’s the right thing?
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