PH gov’t forfeits P120M in properties of ex-NBI chief Jolly Bugarin

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — After a 27-year litigation to prove the properties were ill-gotten, the government has forfeited P120 million worth of properties of the late National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Jolly Bugarin.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) reported that a writ of execution was issued in favor of the government last June, 11 years since the government won the forfeiture case before the Supreme Court.

The forfeited properties included house and lots in North Greenhills and Valle Verde Subdivisions and club shares in Manila Polo Club and Makati Sports Club.

Estimated to be worth P6.3 million when the government initiated the case in 1986, the forfeited properties are now worth at least P120 million, according to the PCGG.

“Though it has taken more than 25 years of protracted litigation coupled with legal maneuverings and a slew of dilatory tactics, the forfeiture case against NBI director Jolly Bugarin proved the government’s resolute desire to recover ill-gotten wealth,” the PCGG said.

“The Bugarin case stands to serve as a concrete template in future asset forfeiture cases as it may very well be considered the first complete womb to tomb case relating to asset forfeiture in the in the country,” it added.

Formed by the first Aquino administration in 1986 to go after ill-gotten assets of the Marcoses and their cronies, the PCGG said the properties were illegally acquired by Bugarin from 1968-1980 since they were in excess of his government compensation.

In 2002, the Supreme Court reversed a 1991 decision of the Sandiganbayan and ordered the anti-graft court to determine which properties must be confiscated.

The high court was not convinced by Bugarin’s defense, and ruled that the former NBI director could not have acquired P2.1 million worth of properties because his lawful income as NBI director from 1967 to 1980 was just P766,548.

The Supreme Court said Bugarin “amassed wealth” amounting to P2.1 million between 1968 and 1980.

When the Aquino government assumed office in 1986, the PCGG estimated the late NBI director’s real and personal properties to be worth P6.3 million.

In his defense, Bugarin said he and his wife acquired the questioned properties before he became NBI director. He also declared as part of his income allowances from the Dangerous Drugs Board, the National Police Commission, the Central Bank and the law firm of San Juan Africa Gonzales and San Agustin.