Filtered By: Topstories
News

De Lima: Sandiganbayan decision on Garcia plea deal is 'judicial callousness'


Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday criticized as "judicial callousness" the Sandiganbayan's approval of the plea bargaining agreement with Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia, the former military comptroller who supposedly stole P303 million from government coffers. At a press briefing, De Lima said even congressional hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate have led to the conclusion that the controversial deal was irregular. "Let me say also that of course, I share the disappointment of many about this development in the Sandiganbayan. It is regrettable that what appeared to be palpably wrong — as it is unconscionable to many — seemed to have escaped the comprehension and appreciation of the Sandiganbayan. I would call it judicial callousness," she said. De Lima also questioned the timing of the release of the Sandiganbayan's ruling, which was promulgated on the first working day after the resignation of Merceditas Gutierrez as Ombudsman and on the day President Benigno Aquino III arrived from Indonesia. "Look at the timing — immediately after the date of effectivity of the resignation of the Ombudsman and the arrival of the president. I hope they did not do it intentionally. That's still part of callousness. Why didn't they issue that before the resignation of the Ombusdman? Why did they have to fast-track it? Why didn't they wait for the next Ombudsman?" asked the Justice chief. The anti-graft court's defense In a 22-page resolution on Monday, the Sandiganbayan's Second Division gave its seal of approval on the plea bargaining deal that Ombudsman prosecutors struck with Garcia. The former comptroller was facing plunder charges but last year, he entered a guilty plea to two lesser offenses: indirect bribery and violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The Sandiganbayan said Garcia has complied with all the necessary requirements for the deal to be approved. These include the turnover of his assets worth P135 million, less than half of the P303 million he allegedly stole from Armed Forces of the Philippines funds. The Sandiganbayan also said that it saw no reason why the deal should not be approved. "Inasmuch as the provisions of the plea bargaining agreement and the concerns of this Court about the protection of the Government having been already fully addressed, there is no reason why this Court should withhold approval of the plea bargaining agreement in these cases," it said. The controversial deal was given public attention in December last year, when Garcia was allowed to post a P60,000 bail that afforded him temporary freedom. The deal, which was not yet approved at that time, has sparked a public uproar and a series of congressional hearings. Anticipating the possible backlash because of its approval of the plea bargaining deal, the Sandiganbayan's Second Division defended its decision. “We must not be swayed by a public opinion which, no matter how valid and sincere the sentiments may be, is expressed in terms of emotions, if not, from a limited perception and shallow appreciation of the facts," it said. "We would rather tell the truth and be unpopular than be a superstar because we satisfied public opinion by creating half-truths and distortions," it added. - VVP, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT