Sandiganbayan junks bid of ex-PCGG chair Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has denied the supplemental motion filed by former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chair Camilo L. Sabio for lack of merit. Sabio’s motion sought to overturn his earlier graft conviction.

Sabio’s case stemmed from his attempt to influence his younger brother, Court of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio, to rule in favor of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in a case against Meralco in 2008, as a favor for a friend.

Sabio’s request, it turned out, was upon the orders of GSIS Board Member lawyer Jesus Santos.

The court found the PCGG chair then liable for violating Section 3(a) of the antigraft law that prohibits public officers from “persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority or an offense in connection with official duties of the latter, or allowing himself to be persuaded, induced, or influenced to commit such violation or offense.”

Sabio, 83, was found guilty of one count of graft, but was acquitted of another graft charge due to the failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Earlier in January 2020, Sabio filed a motion for reconsideration seeking to overturn his conviction. The court has since denied that motion since it was filed outside the prescribed period.

Sabio was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, and was perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

Sabio chaired the PCGG from 2005 to 2010.