Sandigan verdict on Gen. Garcia's perjury case deferred anew

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan Second Division on Monday reset anew the promulgation of decision in the perjury case filed against a former Armed Forces comptroller accused of accumulating millions in illegal wealth. According to Associate Justice Edilberto Sandoval, division chairman, the court is still ‘deliberating on some final points involved in the case,’ which they are hoping to resolve by April 10, the new date set for the pronouncement of the verdict on retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia. This was the second time the graft court had deferred coming out with a decision on Garcia's perjury case. Garcia was charged in 2004 with four counts of perjury, one count of plunder and two ill-gotten wealth lawsuits. The perjury cases involved allegations that Garcia failed to disclose his real net worth, particularly his ownership of motor vehicles. Based in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), Garcia declared the value of his motor vehicles at only P870,000. Investigators, however, claimed that the vehicles registered in his name and those owned by his wife Clarita were worth P1.51 million in all. In May 2006, Garcia was acquitted by the Sandiganbayan Third Division in one of his perjury cases due to the failure of the prosecution to present evidence that would overcome the requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt. In acquitting Garcia, the Third Division pointed out that the retired military official was required by law to disclose the income of his spouse but not her personal assets. Defense lawyer Constantino B. De Jesus said he is hoping that this pronouncement of the Third Division will set the tone for Garcia’s acquittal in the rest of his perjury cases. De Jesus said his client has suffered enough through his trials in all his pending cases. “You can check his photos dating back to 2004. He has lost weight. He is unable to sleep. These cases have dragged on for over three years now," he said. De Jesus, however, considered as the real battle his client’s plunder case, which is also pending before the Second Division. - GMANews.TV