The Supreme Court has granted the request of businessman Jaime Dichaves, co-defendant of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada in the plunder case, to travel to Hong Kong and Tokyo, Japan for 15 days with his 89 year old mother to attend a family reunion.
In a resolution made public Monday, the high court’s second division granted Dichaves’ request subject to several conditions including retention of the P1 million cash bond he posted in September 2015 when his request to travel to Hong Kong, Shenzen, Guanzhou, and Shanghai for business purposes was approved.
Other conditions include filing of a manifestation before the Sandiganbayan executive clerk of court informing the latter of the final departure date, the final arrival date, and all other flight information relating to his travels, including his itineraries.
The high court also told Dichaves that his travel is limited only to what he stated in his motion.
Likewise, the Court ordered Dichaves to present the passport of his mother Elena Dichaves before the Sandiganbayan within five days after his return including photocopies of the pages indicating the stamped exit and entry of arrival in the country duly authenticated by the Sandiganbayan Executive Clerk of Court.
“Upon petitioner’s return, the Sandiganbayan Executive Clerk of court shall file a report with the Second Division Clerk of Court of this court within 15 days from the date of petitioner’s appearance before it to confirm his compliance with all conditions of this resolution,” the high court said.
“The report shall include petitioner’s travel itinerary, the authenticated copies of the passport pages, and other documents submitted in compliance with the conditions stated,” it added.
Dichaves was charged with plunder after he admitted that he owned the Jose Velarde account.
He has yet to undergo trial because of the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the SC’s Third Division enjoining his arraignment and trial until further orders from the Court.
Dichaves flew out of the country in 2001 to escape trial while Estrada was convicted for plunder but was later pardoned under the Arroyo administration. JE
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