MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan yesterday acquitted former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima of perjury charges in connection with his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). The anti-graft court’s Second Division said the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence on the eight counts of perjury against Purisima, which refer to his alleged failure to disclose various properties in his SALNs. The Second Division said Purisima failed to state in his motion for leave the legal grounds for asking to be allowed to file a demurrer to evidence. Purisima was dismissed in 2015 by the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly committing graft over an anomalous P100-million contract for the delivery of gun licenses in 2011. He also figured in a botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015 that resulted in the deaths of 44 Special Action Force commandos.

Source: Philippine Star February 28, 2020 15:56 UTC