Jinggoy Estrada’s fugitive aide charged over undeclared assets

The fugitive former aide of former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has been charged again in the Sandiganbayan, this time for allegedly failing to disclose her ownership of two condominium units.

Pauline Therese Mary Labayen Cabico was charged with four counts each of perjury and violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Labayen was accused of omitting from her 2008 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) her ownership of a unit at The Manila Residences in Malate, Manila.

She also allegedly failed to declare in her SALNs for 2010 to 2012 a unit and a parking lot she owned at Makati Executive Tower IV in Makati City.

Labayen was a coaccused of Estrada and alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in the plunder case involving the senator’s alleged receipt of P183.79 million in kickbacks.

She fled abroad and evaded detention for the nonbailable offense in 2014, as confirmed by the Bureau of Immigration in 2014. —Vince F. Nonato