Manila, Aug. 13 -- The Sandiganbayan has convicted a former Quezon City councilor in connection with ghost employees supposedly hired as field and area coordinators and street sweepers from 2009 to 2010.

In a 67-page decision dated Aug. 12, 2025, the Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division sentenced Dante de Guzman to up to 10 years for each of 16 counts of malversation and up to eight years for 16 counts of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

"Although the prosecution was able to present only six individuals who testified to their non-involvement in the position under which they were officially designated, the evidence reveals a payroll scheme that was both systematic and well-coordinated," the court noted.

"This raises the ...