Sandiganbayan rules Padaca guilty for not filing financial statements

October 10, 2017

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has meted a guilty verdict against former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Grace Padaca over four counts of violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Padaca, who served as Isabela governor from 2004 to 2010, was ordered to pay a total fine of P4,000 for four counts from her failure to file her statements of assets liabilities and net worth (SALN) during the years 2007 to 2010 or while she was  governor.

Padaca, a former radio broadcaster, was a winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Last month, Padaca, through her lawyer. Rogelio Vinluan, withdrew her not guilty plea that she entered earlier.

"Considering the voluntary plea of guilty of the accused, and conformable with the provisions of Section 11(a) of RA 6713, the court hereby sentences her to pay a fine of P1,000 in each of the four criminal cases aforementioned, or the total amount of P4,000," it added. DMS