Sandiganbayan recalls Garcia bail order

Former military comptroller Carlos Garcia. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Sandiganbayan Second Division on Tuesday recalled the bail order given in favor of former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller Carlos Garcia.

In a two-page ruling, the anti-graft court recalled the Dec. 16, 2010 resolution it issued granting Garcia’s request that he be allowed to post bail.

Garcia, then posted P60,000 bail for charges of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering.

The anti-graft court’s order came after the Supreme Court last week stopped the Sandiganbayan from acting on the plea bargain deal between Garcia and the Office of the Ombudsman.

The high court also stopped the anti-graft court from proceeding with the criminal cases against Garcia and stopped the Sandiganbayan from implementing the Dec. 16, 2010 ruling that allowed Garcia to post bail.

In the recent order by the anti-graft court, it told the New Bilibid Prisons not to release Garcia. The former AFP officer is serving time for violating the Articles of War.

Under the deal, Garcia entered a “guilty plea” to a lesser offense of direct bribery instead of plunder in exchange for returning over P135-million worth of assets.

In its May 4, 2010 resolution, the Sandiganbayan ordered Garcia to turn over to the government all ownership on any and all interest which he and his family owned which are subject of the plunder and the anti-money laundering case.

A year later, the anti-graft court approved the plea bargain after Garcia was able to turn over P135-million worth of properties.

The anti-graft court’s order was signed by Associate Justices Teresita Diaz-Baldos, Samuel Martires and Oscar Herrera Jr.