Danding asks Sandigan to resolve SMC case

Businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco asked the Sandiganbayan yesterday to immediately resolve the long-standing case on the ownership of the 65.1-percent stake in food and beverage giant San. Miguel Corp. (SMC).

"Considering the importance of the issues raised in Conjuangco’s motions, the same should have been resolved ahead of other motions, particularly those which were filed after the subdivision of the complaints," he said in an eight-page motion filed through lawyer Estelito Mendoza.

Cojuangco said the cases should be dismissed because the writs of sequestration ordered by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) were "unauthorized, invalid and never became effective" for being "null and void" as "only one commissioner" had issued them.

"(The motions) deal with the propriety and validity of the writs and orders of sequestration issued by the PCGG in regard those shares," read the motion.

The case is one of eight subdivided cases the PCGG filed in court in 1986 against Cojuangco, former President Ferdinand Marcos, his wife, Imelda, former senator Juan Ponce Enrile and 50 other people.

Government prosecutors said Cojuangco and his allies acquired interests in SMC with the use of coco levy funds. — Delon Porcalla