| source : staff | |||
| Monday, 11 August 2008 13:55 | |||
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Sabio is expected to go under intense questioning from the lawyer of businessman Francis de Borja, whom the magistrate accuses of offering P10 million in exchange for Sabio’s inhibition from the case. De Borja denies the charge and claims that it was Sabio who has sought P50 million in payment. After Sabio’s testimony, Presiding Justice Conrado Vasquez is expected to testify and answer allegations from the Lopez group that he had an undue interest in the GSIS-Meralco case, and that he failed to disclose that close relatives were connected or had been connected with the state pension fund. But the most-awaited testimony is that of Associate Justice Vicente Roxas, whom Sabio accuses of impropriety in handling the GSIS-Meralco case. The bribery scandal broke out after Sabio complained there was something “fishy” about the way Roxas had written a draft decision on July 4 in favor of the Lopez group, when neither side had even submitted its arguments. Sabio also questioned Roxas’ supposed habit of carrying case folders and the draft of a restraining order in favor of the Lopez group, with the minutes of the deliberations attached. But Roxas suggested that Sabio was clinging to the case and the chairmanship of the Ninth Division, even though he was only the acting chairman and should have given way to Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who had returned from vacation leave. In his decision, Roxas dismissed the complaint filed by the GSIS against Meralco officials belonging to the Lopez group, saying the Securities and Exchange Commission had no jurisdiction over corporate disputes. Sabio, who led hearings on the case for the Ninth Division, was removed following a reorganization at the appeals court that transferred him to the Sixth Division. He complained that he was “unceremoniously ousted” from the Meralco case. The appeals court, which reviewed the case, let the ruling stand, but asked the Supreme Court to investigate, and the high court formed the panel composed of retired Supreme Court justices Carolina Griño-Aquino, Flerida Ruth Romero, and Romeo Callejo Sr. Apart from Sabio and Vasquez, the panel is also expected to call Associate Justices Martin Villarama, Bienvenido Reyes, Edgardo Cruz, Apolinario Bruselas and De Borja himself. The panel was given until Aug. 21 to submit its findings. On Friday, the panel scolded the appellate court justices for failing to observe their own rules in deciding the corporate dispute. Callejo criticized Associate Justice Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal for signing Roxas’ decision without reviewing other documents in the case. He also rebuked Vidal when she admitted that she had signed the decision even when there were pending motions for Roxas to inhibit himself from the case. Vidal admitted her lapses and apologized. Rey E. Requero
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MANILA, Philippines - The government is preparing to file charges against Commander Bravo, the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) unit responsible for Monday’s attack in Lanao del Norte, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno. |
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