Govt dismisses perjury complaint against Okada executive

Monday 29th of April 2019

Government prosecutors have dismissed a perjury complaint against an executive of Okada Manila relating to a $7 million deal for the purchase of lighting equipment, Manila Bulletin reports.

In a resolution reaching the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Las Pinas City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the complaint filed by Aruze Philippines against Dindo Espeleta, chief executive adviser of Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc (TRLEI).

Since the complainant was not able to prove the existence of all the elements of the offense, the Las Pinas City Prosecutor’s Office ruled it “failed to find probable cause to indict herein respondent for Perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code.”

The case concerns a 2016 deal between APMI and TRLEI, in which APMI would supply Okada Manila with light emitting diode (LED) strips in time for the grand opening of Okada Manila in March 2017.

The complaint was filed by APMI in response to an estafa complaint filed by Espeleta who accused APMI of not being authorized to engage in the business of manufacturing LED strips suitable for outdoor use.

“As in the instant case, herein respondent was able to adequately establish that his assertions in the complaint affidavit is based on his belief and conviction, taken from the provisions of the Supply Agreement, that complainant APMI misrepresented that it can manufacture the LED strips for outdoor use,” the resolution read.

“The allegations of the complainant that respondent was fully aware that APMI does not manufacture the LED strips before APMI and TRLEI executed the Supply Agreement is based purely on conjectures and does not have a leg to stand on,” it added.