Sandiganbayan acquits ex-PNP chief Purisima, 17 others of graft

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and 17 others of graft charges related to an anomalous courier services contract with Werfast Documentation Agency, Inc. in 2011.

The anti-graft court's Sixth Division ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.

The acquittal includes former PNP officials Raul Petrasanta, Gil Meneses, Napoleon Estilles, Allan Parreño, Eduardo Acierto, Melchor Reyes, Lenbell Fabia, Sonia Calixto, Nelson Bautista, Ricardo Zapata Jr., and Ford Tuazon.

Five WerFast incorporators, namely Mario Juan, Salud Bautista, Enrique Valerio, Lorna Perena, and Juliana Pasia, were also cleared.

As a result of the acquittal, the court imposed no civil liability and lifted the hold-departure orders against them.

The case stemmed from the PNP's engagement of Werfast in 2011 for the delivery of firearms license cards, despite the company having no prior experience as a courier service and no public bidding being conducted.

Werfast also charged significantly higher rates than other courier services for deliveries within Metro Manila.