Ex-PCGG chief asks SC to reverse disqualification ruling

Former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chair Camilo Sabio is asking the Supreme Court to reverse a ruling perpetually disqualifying him from holding public office.

The Ombudsman had ruled on the disqualification of Sabio from holding public office in December 2011 for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The case stemmed from Sabio’s attempt to influence his brother, then Court of Appeals justice Jose Sabio, during an ownership squabble between the Manila Electric Co. and the Government Service Insurance System in 2008.

He appealed his case before the Court of Appeals but the CA affirmed the Ombudsman’s decision in April 2015.

READ: CA affirms Sabio’s perpetual disqualification from public office

In a petition for review filed with the tribunal on Monday, Sabio claimed that the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to act on a complaint against him.

Citing a Supreme Court ruling on his case, Sabio said the high court is the one who has the power to discipline members of the Bar.

He said the high court has already referred his case to its Office of the Bar Confidant for proper action.

“Indeed, the Honorable Ombudsman had acted with such grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction…What heinous crime has the petitioner (Sabio) committed for which he is meted the afore-mentioned absurd and ridiculous penalty of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and is hereby perpetually disqualified to hold public office,” Sabio said.

The Ombudsman decision, Sabio said is “absurd and ridiculous because his record shows that [he] has spent most of his professional life as a government official performing his mandate with professionalism, competence

Sabio is eyeing the 2016 presidency and support of the Lakas Christian and Muslim Democrat (Lakas-CMD). AU