From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 3): DOJ welcomes TRO vs. ex-AFP comptroller's plea bargain deal
The Dept. of Justice Wednesday welcomed the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the plea bargaining agreement between former Armed Forces Philippines comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garciaand the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a text message, Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima said it was an indication the magistrates are interested in reviewing very carefully the plunder case against Garcia which was lowered to direct bribery and facilitating money laundering because of the plea bargaining agreement.
In the ruling of the SC Third Division, the Sandiganbayan Second Division was stopped from implementing its decision on Dec. 16, 2010 allowing Garcia to post bail.
The SC also stopped the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the promulgation of judgment on the two criminal cases against Garcia based on the plea bargaining agreement.
Under the agreement, Garcia entered a guilty plea on the direct bribery case instead of the plunder case in exchange for the turnover to the government of P135-million worth of Garcia's assets.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=540640
The Dept. of Justice Wednesday welcomed the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the plea bargaining agreement between former Armed Forces Philippines comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garciaand the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a text message, Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima said it was an indication the magistrates are interested in reviewing very carefully the plunder case against Garcia which was lowered to direct bribery and facilitating money laundering because of the plea bargaining agreement.
In the ruling of the SC Third Division, the Sandiganbayan Second Division was stopped from implementing its decision on Dec. 16, 2010 allowing Garcia to post bail.
The SC also stopped the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the promulgation of judgment on the two criminal cases against Garcia based on the plea bargaining agreement.
Under the agreement, Garcia entered a guilty plea on the direct bribery case instead of the plunder case in exchange for the turnover to the government of P135-million worth of Garcia's assets.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=540640