Aquino pays for Padaca’s bail

Former Gov. Grace Cielo Padaca

MANILA, Philippines–Newly appointed Commission on Elections Commissioner Grace Padaca on Thursday personally went to the Sandiganbayan and posted P70,000 bail before the Sandiganbayan 5th division for her temporary liberty.

Padaca is facing a case for graft and malversation of public funds in connection with a P25 million rice program.

The order of arrest against Padaca has been issued last May 21by Associate justices Roland Jurado, chair of the Sandiganbayan 5th Division, and Associate Justices Alexander Gesmundo and Alex Quiroz.

Padaca is accompanied by Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Padaca told reporters that it was the President himself who paid for the bail bond.

Also ordered arrested is Provincial Legal Officer Johnas Lamonera who has yet to post bail. Their co-accused municipal councilor Servando Soriano and Dionisio Pine, manager of the Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation Inc. have posted P70,000 bail each.