256 elected officials have graft, criminal cases; 17 have been convicted

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reports via InterAksyon.com that 256 politicians who won in the May 2013 elections are respondents in "cases for graft and other crimes" filed before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court.

The report noted that "of the winners, 17 had been convicted, while six others had pleaded guilty of the charges leveled against them." According to PCIJ, "the charges against the 504 candidates range from plunder to malversation of public funds, usurpation of duties, giving undue advantage to favored or unqualified private parties, soliciting gifts in exchange for favors, and entering into contracts disadvantageous to the government, among others."

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