Tawi-Tawi solon seeks court nod to join Rome peace talks

Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali Tan (Photo from the official website of the House of Representatives at www.congress.gov.ph)

MANILA — Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali Tan has asked the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division to allow her to go to Rome to join the third round of peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

The lawmaker, who faces charges for violating asset disclosure rules, sought permission to leave the country from January 17 to 27 “solely for the purpose of attending the said Peace Negotiations.”

Tan, who chairs the House committee on peace, rehabilitation and unity, said she and other panel members were formally invited by the chief peace negotiator Silvestre Bello III to join the talks to be held on January 18 to 25.

“Accused Sahali-Tan sincerely manifests that her intended travel to Rome, Italy is purely for the purpose stated above, and that she will religiously comply with all the terms and conditions of the permit to travel as may be imposed by the Honorable Court…,” the motion read.

She would have to leave Manila for Rome around midnight on Jan. 17. She plans to depart from Rome on Jan. 25 and arrive in Manila on Jan. 27.

Tan’s arraignment for six counts of violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees comes afterwards on Feb. 2.

This early, she informed the court of her plan to question the Office of the Ombudsman Mindanao’s charges by way of an omnibus motion for judicial determination of probable cause.

Pending her possible request for case dismissal due to lack of probable cause, Tan would also seek the suspension of her arraignment and further proceedings.

Tan allegedly failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth under oath or on time when she was the vice-governor of Tawi-Tawi from 2008 to 2013.  SFM