THE Sandiganbayan's First Division acquitted former La Union Second District representative Thomas Dumpit Jr. and other individuals of graft charges in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) totaling about P40 million.

In a 227-page decision promulgated on Monday, July 3, the court acquitted the following of nine counts of graft: Dumpit; Gondelina Amata, Ofelia Ordoñez, Gregoria Buenaventura, and Sofia Cruz who had been from the National Livelihood Development Corporation; Flerida Alberto; and Godofredo Roque. Lilibeth Aloot-Macazo, who had been a store proprietor and was an accused in four of the nine graft cases, was acquitted.