Latest news with #Sandiganbayan
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
VP Sara's bank records, SALN can be legally disclosed during trial —solon
The bank records and the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of Vice President Sara Duterte can be legally disclosed during her impeachment trial, Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon said. Ridon said the disclosure is relevant to the fourth article of impeachment relating to the culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, particularly the allegations of amassing unexplained wealth and failing to disclose all her properties and interests in properties in her SALN. "The bank records will be examined to determine whether there exists a direct correspondence between her family's typical income and her bank deposits and other investments. It should be noted that former Chief Justice Renato Corona had been convicted on the basis of non-disclosure of several assets in his SALN," he explained. The lawmaker said such disclosure is provided under the 2006 Supreme Court decision in the Ejercito v. Sandiganbayan case wherein the High Court ruled that the bank records of then President Joseph Ejercito can be disclosed during his Sandiganbayan plunder trial because of two exemptions provided under the Bank Secrecy Law. These exemptions are that the examination of bank accounts is upon the order of a competent court in cases of bribery or dereliction of duty of public officials, and that the money deposited or invested is the subject matter of the litigation. 'That [Ejercito v. Sandiganbayan] is the right jurisprudence. Lahat po yan pwedeng buksan kapag nasa impeachment trial na po. The prosecution can request the SALN from the Ombudsman, the Vice President, and even the bank can be asked from the banks,' Ridon said in a news forum. 'In fact, we can also ask the Anti-Money Laundering Council para sa record ng pagpasok at paglabas na pera,' he added. However, the disclosure of these bank deposits and the SALN ultimately rests on the Senate impeachment court, which will vote once a motion for disclosure is put forward by the prosecutors. 'To be very clear, the motions will be subject to a vote by the Senate, so we'd like to manage expectations. The Senate can approve or deny requests for further information on bank accounts,' Ridon said. Asked if the Senate would risk getting the ire of the public in the event it denies such requests for further information, Ridon said it is too early to say. 'We can't preempt how the public would react. But as an impeachment court, it is really the Senate that has the authority on that,' he added. The Vice President's spokesperson, Ruth Castelo, earlier said that her boss is "ready" if the impeachment proceeds. 'The Vice President is ready, she's been saying that. And she's eager to be able to present her case or her evidence in the impeachment court so that once and for all, all doubts cast on her will go away. And that's what she wants,' Castelo said. The impeachment case put forward by the House accuses Duterte of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes mainly due to alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds and for threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., his wife Liza, and his cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Tulfo Urges Probe, Penalties for Gov't Officials Tied to Online Gambling
Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for a thorough investigation and strict sanctions against government officials allegedly involved in the rise of online gambling in the Philippines. In a press briefing, Tulfo stressed that public officials should act in the interest of Filipinos, not in support of businesses that harm the public. He urged concerned agencies to file complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan against officials proven to be complicit. Tulfo also announced plans to file a bill seeking a total ban on all forms of online gambling in the country, including those accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). He argued that mere regulation is not enough to curb the industry's harmful effects. He cited alarming reports of young students becoming addicted to online gambling, neglecting school, and even resorting to theft. 'It's time to step on the brakes,' he said, insisting that the social costs far outweigh potential government revenues, estimated at ₱140 billion. Tulfo expressed hope that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will address online gambling in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), calling it a pressing national issue.
GMA Network
30-06-2025
- GMA Network
Sandiganbayan finds ex-PTA execs guilty of graft over P3.7-M sports complex
The Sandiganbayan has found former general manager Robert Dean Barbers of the defunct Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and two other PTA officials guilty of graft over a P3.7-million sports complex in Intramuros, Manila in 2005. In a decision dated June 27, the anti-graft court said that while it did not find evidence of a corrupt or fraudulent intent on Barbers and his co-accused Edgar Bocar and Jose Diaz, the prosecution 'was able to present proof beyond reasonable doubt on the accused's brazen disregard of pertinent laws, rules, and regulations amounting to gross inexcusable negligence.' The Sandiganbayan said that Barbers, Bocar, and Diaz proceeded with the PTA sports complex project and paid I.A. Bosque Construction Corporation P3.7 million of public funds even if the said project was not approved by the Intramuros Administration (IA) as required under existing laws. The IA, the Sandiganbayan said, repeatedly issued notices of violation that were neither heeded nor even responded to by the accused PTA officials. 'As pointed out by the prosecution, the accused were given every chance to rectify their errors, but they remained adamant, resulting in the disbursement of funds for nothing. The acts of negligence of the accused clearly and collectively show that they are both gross and inexcusable, and amount to a tacit approval of a criminal design injurious to the government,' the Sandiganbayan said. The accused in the case argued that they were not informed of the IA's disapproval, but the Sandiganbayan junked their defense for lack of merit. 'This [defense of not knowing] does not inspire belief based on the evidence on record. To this court, it is a lame excuse for their disregard for the laws and duly constituted authorities,' the Sandiganbayan said. 'Their open defiance of the law did not merely result in the loss of government funds but also incurred the risk that the project would not comply with the minimum safety standards, as signified by the required permits and licenses. This is not simply overzealousness in the exercise of one's duties. This is breach of duty in a blatant and extremely careless manner,' the Sandiganbayan added. All three accused were sentenced to a jail term of six to eight years each, with perpetual disqualification from public office as an accessory penalty. Likewise, they are jointly and severally liable for the amount of P3.7 million representing the 15% mobilization fee paid to I.A. Bosque Construction Corporation, with 6% legal interest computed from the finality of the decision. GMA News Online is trying to reach out to the concerned individuals.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Jinggoy seeks Sandiganbayan's travel clearance for US trip
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to travel to the United States (US) for 22 days. In a motion filed by Estrada to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, Estrada asked for travel clearance for a visit to California and Nevada in the US from July 6 to 27. Estrada needs a court clearance before traveling, as he is still facing 11 counts of graft charges in connection with alleged misuse of discretionary but public funds worth P183 million, officially known as the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel. The anti-graft court, however, deferred decision on Estrada's motion pending his submission of a return flight ticket and a detailed itinerary. Estrada, who only appeared before the court online and was represented by his lawyer, Noel Malaya, said he will comply with the court's order. 'I will provide them to my lawyer,' Estrada said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Ruffy Biazon to appeal Sandiganbayan ruling on graft case
The team of reelected Mayor Ruffy Biazon said they will be filing a motion for reconsideration, seeking the anti-graft court to re-examine the ruling and citing his right to due process. Muntinlupa Mayor Rozzano Rufino 'Ruffy' Biazon over the weekend said he will appeal Sandiganbayan's ruling that found him, along with five other respondents including businesswoman Janet Napoles, guilty of graft in connection to the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) in 2007. In a statement issued by his spokesperson Atty. Mitchell-David Espiritu, the reelected mayor's team said they will be filing a motion for reconsideration, seeking the anti-graft court to re-examine the ruling and citing his right to due process. 'We respect the Sandiganbayan's decision as part of our justice system. However, we are surprised by the outcome, especially since Mayor Ruffy was previously acquitted of similar charges involving public funds,' Espiritu said in Filipino in a post on Biazon's official Facebook page. 'We remain hopeful that, like the earlier cases, Mayor Ruffy will ultimately be acquitted once due process has been completed. We intend to explore all legal remedies, beginning with a motion for reconsideration,' he added. Biazon, along with businesswoman Janet Napoles and former government agency Technology Resource Center (TRC) officials Dennis Cunanan, Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, and Evelyn De Leon were sentenced to six to eight years in jail and perpetual disqualification from public office after being found guilty of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Court records showed that whistleblower Benhur Luy said Biazon received some P1.950 million through an authorized representative, and the public funds from Biazon's PDAF went to Napoles-run Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI), a corporate entity that could not have been physically located at its declared address. Biazon, for his part, argued that he merely endorsed the non-government organization (MGO) to the TRC, and that his signature was forged by the whistleblower. The court meanwhile found that Biazon's endorsement functioned more as an instruction than a recommendation, and that there was no substantial evidence that he took steps to dispute or report the alleged forgery. 'Mayor Ruffy will continue to uphold the law — the same law that grants him the right to defend himself and to clear his name of these accusations,' Espiritu said. 'According to the law, Mayor Ruffy will stay in his post and fulfill the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Muntinlupa,' he added. —RF, GMA Integrated News
