Court lets Dichaves fly to Hong Kong, China on business

The Sandiganbayan Special Division has allowed businessman Jaime Dichaves to travel to Hong Kong and China next week to look for raw materials for his business, despite prosecutors’ objections on the ground that he is a flight risk.

Dichaves, a coaccused in the plunder case against former President Joseph Estrada, was required to post a P300,000 travel bond.

“Finding the motion to be well taken, the same is hereby granted over the objection of the prosecution,” the court said in a resolution signed by Sandigan Presiding Justice Francisco Villaruz and Justices Rodolfo Ponferrada and Maria Cristina Cornejo.

The antigraft court said that in case Dichaves failed to return, his trial would proceed as scheduled in his absence. Notice of further proceedings would be made through his counsel of record, it said. It also required him to advise the court of his return to the Philippines within five days of his arrival.

Dichaves asked the court to allow him to travel to Hong Kong and China from March 18 to 26 in his capacity as president and CEO of Plaster Gas Manufacturing Inc.

He said he needed to negotiate with foreign suppliers and obtain raw materials for plaster gas sheets, such as plaster glass robbing, gypsum powder and stopping powder, which are not available in the Philippines.

On Thursday, however, he sought the court’s permission to amend his itinerary because he was unable to obtain a booking with the airline and hotel stated in the itinerary he submitted.

His new itinerary would also have him traveling from March 18 to April 5, and would now include a trip to Bangkok, Thailand, to meet with suppliers that he needs to canvass for prices.

Originally posted at 01:33 pm | Thursday, March 15, 2012