Manila: The Sandiganbayan has dismissed a graft case filed against a former president of Isabela State University, Aleth Mamauag, concerning the alleged irregular purchase of a PHP5.1 million piece of land in 2012.

According to Philippines News Agency, the anti-graft court's Second Division, in a resolution dated March 12, decided to dismiss the case, which was based on an anonymous complaint. The complaint alleged that the property was purchased for PHP6.2 million, with PHP5.1 million already paid, despite the ISU Board of Regents authorizing only PHP4.5 million for the transaction.

In her defense, Mamauag argued that the acquisition was a collegial decision made by the Board of Regents and not a unilateral action on her part. She further explained that the price increase was due to the acquisition of a larger property.

The court, in granting the demurrer to evidence seeking the dismissal of the case, noted the absence of evidence showing that Mamauag acted in bad faith or coerced the Board of Regents into agreeing with her decisions or deceived the government through malicious intent. The court stated, "Nothing like this was present. The testimonies were too unspecific."

The court also emphasized that the Board of Regents had mechanisms to reject proposals or challenge Mamauag's actions. "However, none of the witnesses even dared to question the accused. This means that the questioned actions, good or bad, are to be credited to the group. A group resolution is a group decision," the court concluded.