DOJ asks SC to compel court to issue arrest order for ‘MJ’

The Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to compel a Manila court to issue a warrant of arrest for Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, who is wanted in the US for making illegal campaign contributions and mail fraud, among other criminal charges.

Justice Undersecretary Mercedita Gutierrez and State Counsel Claro Flores told the 15-member tribunal that Jimenez was a "flight risk."

In September, the Supreme Court, voting 8 to 6, canceled the P1-million bail posted by Jimenez last year with a Manila regional trial court to avoid arrest while fighting extradition.

"Flight could be prevented by the implementation of the decision pending resolution of the motion for reconsideration and by causing his immediate arrest and detention," the officials said in their petition.

Manila judge Guillermo Purganan had refused to serve a warrant of arrest, arguing that the high tribunal had not yet ruled on Jimenez’s bail with finality.

Gutierrez and Flores said the Supreme Court’s Sept. 24 decision was in line with the international practice in extradition proceedings and with the Philippines’ extradition treaty with the United States.

The court ruled that a person sought for extradition to another country should be jailed, saying that the country "should not be converted into a dubious haven" for fugitives.

It also said Jimenez was a "flight risk" and should be jailed, citing his ability to escape arrest in the United States.

Jimenez’s case has been seen as a crucial test of an extradition treaty signed by US and Philippine officials in 1996 to help the two countries fight terrorism, drug trafficking and other cross-border crimes.

Jimenez, who ran a computer parts distribution business in the United States, was indicted in 1997 in Washington on 17 counts of illegally giving nearly $40,000 to Democratic Party candidates, reportedly including Clinton.