THE Sandiganbayan on Friday acquitted former Philippine National Police chief Alan L.M. Purisima of perjury charges over the alleged misdeclaration in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Mr. Purisima was accused in February 2018 of eight counts of perjury for allegedly failing to declare the worth of his properties for 2006 to 2009, and 2011 to 2014.

Mr. Purisima allegedly failed to declare the property of his wife in his 2006 and 2007 net worth declaration, according to his charge sheet, among other things.

Hie acquittal came even after the anti-graft court denied on a technicality his plea to file a motion to dismiss the case.

The Sandiganbayan last month also dismissed for insufficient evidence graft and usurpation charges against Mr. Purisima over a 2015 anti-terrorist operation where 44 Special Action Force men were killed by Muslim rebels in Mamasapano town, Magindanao province. — Genshen L. Espedido

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