Despite his acquittal from a corruption case, former Angeles City Mayor Francis ‘Blueboy’ Nepomuceno has no plans of seeking any position in the 2019 elections.
“I’m not running,” Nepomuceno said during the News at Hues press briefing of Pampanga Press Club at Park Inn by Radisson Clark.
He added that he is happy with his private life which he described as “stress-free living.”
The Sandiganbayan Special Fourth Division has recently acquitted Nepomuceno of corruption charges which stemmed from a donation of vehicle to a non-government organization.
In its decision dated February 21, 2018, the Sandiganbayan Special Fourt Division found Nepomuceno and his co-accused Abelardo C. Pamintuan Jr., head of the Kapanalig Incorporated, not guilty of the graft charges.
The Sandiganbayan stated that in Criminal Case Number SB-14-CRM-0315, “accused Nepomuceno and Pamintuan are found not guilty of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act Number 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 states “causing any undue injury to any party, including the government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantages or preference in the discharge of his officials administrative or judicial function through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”
The Sandiganbayan also stated that in Criminal Case Number SB-14-CRM-0316, “accused Nepomuceno and Pamintuan are found not guilty of violation of Sectio 3(g) of the Republic Act Number 3019.
Section 3 (g) of RA 3019 states “entering, on behalf of the government, into any contract or transaction manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the same, whether or not the public officer profited or will profit thereby.”
Nepomuceno said he has no intention of filing counter charges against the officials who filed the case against him.
“The truth shall set you free. Praise God. My Sandiganbayan case dismissed, thank you to all who supported me and believed in my innocence. And to all my political detractors, I forgive you,” Nepomuceno said.
Nepomuceno is the son of former Angeles City’s politicians Francisco Nepomuceno and Juanita Nepomuceno, who both became governor of the province of Pampanga in the 1970s.