Former PCGG chair Camilo Sabio. (File photo by RAFFY LERMA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has acquitted Camilo Sabio of criminal charges for alleged malversation of cash advances during his stint as chair of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
The Commission on Audit (COA) filed cases against Sabio in 2013 over three sets of unliquidated cash advances, two of which were obtained in 2008 and the third was in 2009.
The cash advances amounted to P250,000, P100,000, and P282,428.03, respectively.
Originally, the Office of the Ombudsman wanted to charge Sabio with four counts of malversation, but the fourth one was dismissed, since, according to the Sandiganbayan, the prosecution did not comply with the rules of the court by not signing the case information submitted and that it “failed to rectify the defect” of the case.
In a 40-page decision on July 8, the Sandiganbayan, in acquitting Sabio, cited the prosecution’s failure to present the original documents it offered in proving the guilt of the former PCGG chair.
—DEMPSEY REYES
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