Pozorrubio’s ex-mayor convicted by Sandiganbayan
AFTER a four year trial, former Pozorrubio Mayor Artemio Que Chan was convicted in a decision of the Sandiganbayan on August 26, 2022 and was sentenced from two to eight years of imprisonment for allowing his son and vice mayor to solemnize the civil marriage of a couple on March 26, 2015 during his incumbency.
The couple, Andy dela Rosa and Mary Jane Jovellanos filed a complaint before the Ombudsman after finding the irregularity in their civil marriage when it was Chan’s son, then Vice Mayor Kelvin Tong Chan, who arrived and solemnized the civil marriage held at the town hall of Pozorrubio.
A copy of the decision was uploaded on social media that showed Chan was charged in Civil Case No. SB-18-CRM-0537 before the 7th Division of the Sandiganbayan.
The Certificate of Marriage was signed by Chan to make it appear that he was the solemnizing officer although he was not, hence, a criminal charge of Falsification of Public Document punishable under Article 121, par. 2 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines was filed against him (Chan).
Upon his arraignment on November 23, 2018, Chan, assisted by counsel, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In the decision, Sandiganbayan held the opinion that as mayor and public officer on March 26, 2015, part of functions of Chan was to solemnize marriage and sign documents pertinent thereto.
Chan was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the Crime of Falsification of Public Document defined and penalized under Article 171, Paragraph 1 of the RPC.
Chan was sentenced to two years, four months and one day of prison correctional as minimum to eight years and one day of prison mayor as maximum and was directed to pay the fine of P5,000.
In addition, the accessory penalty of temporary absolute disqualification from holding public office and of special disqualification from the right of suffrage were likewise imposed against the accused. A copy of the decision was furnished the Commission on Elections.
The 47-page decision was signed by Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez -Estoesta, chairman of the 7th division, and concurred by Associate Justices Zaldy Trespasses and Georgina Hidalgo. (Leonardo Micua)
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