Tawi-Tawi solon to stand trial at Sandigan

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

The Sandiganbayan will proceed with the trial of Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali Tan for six counts of violating asset disclosure rules despite her protest that she was not given the chance first to correct her alleged mistakes.

In a two-page resolution dated March 8, the Sixth Division denied Tan’s appeal on a Jan. 12 ruling that there was probable cause to try her for six counts of violating Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Tan is accused of failing to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for the years 2007 to 2012, either under oath or on time as required by the disclosure rules.

The lawmaker claimed there was no basis for the Office of the Ombudsman’s criminal indictment because the provincial government had not given her the “opportunity to correct or rectify the oversight in her SALNs.”

Tan said her indictment violated her right under Section 10 of the Code of Conduct, as well as her constitutional right to due process.

The antigraft court, however, swept aside her argument as “untenable.” It cited the Supreme Court’s previous rulings that upheld the Ombudsman’s authority to investigate and prosecute public officials who fail to abide by SALN rules.

It noted that the Ombudsman’s authority to investigate SALN violations was independent of any action or review taken by the head of the respondent’s agency.

Justice Rodolfo A. Ponferrada penned the decision, with the concurrence of Justices Oscar C. Herrera Jr. and Karl B. Miranda.