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MBC calls on Sandiganbayan to scrap Garcia plea bargain


The influential Makati Business Club (MBC) is urging the Sandiganbayan to scrap the plea bargain proposed by former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller retired Major General Carlos Garcia. The businessmen said the testimonies of former state auditor Heidi Mendoza and former AFP budget officer retired Lieutenant Colonel George Rabusa are sufficient to push the P303-million plunder case against Garcia. "We continue to believe that the plea bargain... does not serve the ends of justice. As much as the Ombudsman and the prosecutors assigned to the case want us to believe that they are doing the country a favor by negotiating with Garcia, they are clearly doing a disservice to the Filipino people," the group said. MBC said it commends Mendoza and Rabusa for their "courageous testimonies about the past systematic misappropriation of AFP funds." "Their decision to testify at the Senate and House hearings comes at clear personal cost, but they chose to uphold the public interest and fight for the truth," according to the group. "Mendoza deserves our admiration for her outstanding dedication as a public servant and her commitment to the ethical standards of her profession," MBC added. The business leaders are also appealing to the Supreme Court to resolve the petition filed by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez questioning the impeachment complaints filed against her at the Lower House. "It has been over four months since the Supreme Court issued a status quo ante order that effectively halted the impeachment proceedings pending the resolution of Gutierrez's petition," MBC said. "We respectfully call on the Supreme Court to let the wheels of justice in this case finally move forward. Now, more than ever, the country needs an inspiring corruption fighter who will send a compelling and unmistakable message that crime does not pay and that wrongdoers will be punished," the group added. — JE, GMANews.TV

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