[G.R. No. 145797. July 23, 2003]

MENDEZ vs. SANDIGANBAYAN

FIRST DIVISION

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated JUL 23 2003.

G.R. No. 145797 (Zosimo Mendez vs. Sandiganbayan and People of the Philippines.)

In the resolution of 13 February 2002, the Court required petitioner to file within ten days from notice a REPLY to the Comment of the Office of Special Prosecutor on the petition. Counsel for petitioner received a copy of the resolution on 4 March 2002.

Counsel for petitioner did not file the required reply; and in the resolution of 1 July 2003, the Court dispensed with the filing of the Reply.

After a careful perusal of the allegations and arguments in the petition and in the comment, the Court finds no reversible error in the challenged decision of the Sandiganbayan of 4 December 1997 and in its resolution of 29 August 2000 insofar as petitioner Zosimo Mendez is concerned.

ACCORDINGLY, finding the challenged decision and resolution to be fully supported by the evidence and the law applicable and that the evidence has established beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the petitioner for the crime charged, the instant petition is DENIED.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) VIRGINIA ANCHETA-SORIANO

Clerk of Court