MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has affirmed the Sandiganbayan’s decision acquitting former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in graft cases in connection with the $329-million National Broadband Network deal (NBN) deal with Chinese telecom firm Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment International Investment Limited (ZTE).
In a 13-page resolution dated Feb. 23, 2021 but was made public only recently, the high court’s Third Division dismissed the bid of the Office of the Special Prosecutor to reverse the ruling of the anti-graft court, which hadgranted Arroyo’s demurrer to evidence in September 2016.
The high court ruled that while a judgment of acquittal may be assai…
Keep on reading: SC upholds Arroyo’s acquittal in graft case over NBN-ZTE deal