Manila, Aug. 28 -- The Sandiganbayan has granted the petition filed by the Philippine government for the forfeiture of the unlawfully acquired properties of the late Muntinlupa mayor Maximo Argana.

In a 114-page decision dated Aug. 18, 2025, the Sandganbayan Third Division granted the petition of the government originally filed in 1991 to forfeit in favor of the state unlawfully acquired property included in the estate of Argana, who was mayor of Muntinlupa from 1964 to 1967 and then again in 1972 until his death in 1985.

The court said the heirs of the mayor who are respondents "failed to controvert petitioner's (government) evidence that between 1964 to 1967 and from 1972 up to his death in June 1985, Argana acquired, or made expendi...