Sandiganbayan affirms Sabio’s conviction

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has affirmed the graft conviction of former Presidential Commission on Good Government Chair Camilo Sabio for attempting to influence his brother, Court of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio, to rule in favor of the Government Service Insurance System in a case against Meralco in 2008.

Sabio was sentenced to imprisonment of up to 10 years and to perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The antigraft court denied Sabio’s second motion for reconsideration, saying his argument of double jeopardy lacked merit.

—Patricia Denies M. Chiu