The graft charges against former NEDA head Romulo Neri is in connection to the NBN ZTE Deal during the Arroyo Administration.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division trashed the graft case against former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Romulo Neri.
The Sandiganbayan saw no sufficient evidences in the graft case which was filed against Neri on 2010.
In a decision promulgated on September 9, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division said it granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Neri to dismiss the graft charge against him.
Neri was accused to have met with Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos and officials of the Chinese firm ZTE in a golf club from 2006 to 2007.
The broadband project of the National Broadband Network (NBN) was yet under review by NEDA and Abalos was said to be lobbying for ZTE.
The issue was considered as the biggest scandal the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Neri was accused of having a financial interest in the project which is a violation of Section 3 (h) of the Anti-Gradt and Corrupt Practices Act when he met with ZTE officials, even though he as a member of the Cabinet was prohibited from having interest, more so if financially, in any government contract.
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