Sandiganbayan Seventh Division Dismisses Anti-Graft Case Against Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao

MANILA: The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has decided to dismiss the case filed against Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The case has been dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction, settling in favor of Cadiao’s Motion for Reconsideration.

According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta, in her 16-page decision dated Oct. 20, 2023, ruled that the Regional Trial Court (RTC) holds the exclusive original jurisdiction over matters that do not allege any damage to the government or any bribery, or when the alleged damage does not exceed PHP1 million. The case originates from a 2018 complaint filed by former Antique General Services Office (GSO) chief Antonio Dela Vega, who was denied payment of PHP1.6 million in allowances and benefits for his reassignment to a provincial satellite office between 2016 and 2018.

The Ombudsman had initially filed the case before the Sandiganbayan on Oct. 26, 2022. On June 9, 2023, a warrant of arrest was issued against Cadiao, who subsequently posted a PHP90,000 bail in Kidapawan City, Cotabato. A preventive suspension against the governor was further issued on Sept. 21. Following the dismissal, the court also ordered the release of the cash bond.

In reaction to the dismissal, Cadiao stated that she had mixed feelings but chose to remain optimistic for the future of Antique. During the four months of her preventive suspension, she experienced sleepless nights pondering the future of the provincial government. Cadiao urged her political adversaries to avoid actions that could hamper the progress of Antique. Upcoming events for the province include the annual Binirayan Festival in December, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30, and the annual visit to sugar workers in Negros Occidental this November.

Capitol employees conducted a thanksgiving mass at the capitol ground following the Monday flag-raising ceremony and offered flowers to the governor as a show of support.