Gatchalian may join China visit

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

The Sandiganbayan has allowed Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to join President Duterte’s state visit to China, after he underwent a conditional arraignment on Monday.

Gatchalian pleaded not guilty to charges of graft, malversation and violation of banking rules, which was a requirement imposed by the antigraft court’s Fourth Division for a permit to travel.

The senator posted a travel bond of P270,000 to join Mr. Duterte’s delegation from Oct. 18 to 22.

The magistrates had earlier scolded Gatchalian’s camp for submitting on Wednesday a rush request only days before Duterte’s delegation was to leave. The senator said he only received a verbal invitation by phone on the Monday before.

The court gave him a chance to explain why he should be allowed to go on the trip.

Gatchalian dropped his original plan to join Mr. Duterte in his state visit to Brunei over the weekend and opted to head directly to Beijing on Oct. 18.

His coaccused and brother, Valenzuela City Rep. Weslie Gatchalian, was granted permission to go to China last Wednesday. He likewise entered a not guilty plea during his conditional arraignment.

The Gatchalian brothers, another sibling and their parents face criminal charges over the Local Water Utilities Administration’s purchase of a majority stake in an insolvent thrift bank co-owned by  the family. —VINCE F. NONATO