Search begins for Garcia’s wife, sons facing plunder raps

The Sandiganbayan’s Sheriff and Security Office began the search yesterday for the wife and three sons of former Armed Forces comptroller and retired general Carlos Garcia who are facing the capital offense of plunder.

Sandiganbayan Sheriff Edgardo Urieta said they have sought the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Immigration in serving warrants of arrest for Garcia’s wife, Clarita, and their sons Ian Carl, Juan Paulo and Timothy Mark.

While the three sons are said to be in the United States, Urieta said they have information that Clarita is still in the country.

On Wednesday, the Sandiganbayan’s second division ordered their arrest in connection with the P303.27-million plunder charge filed against the family last year. The anti-graft court has not set bail for their temporary liberty.

In ordering the issuance of arrest warrants against Garcia’s wife and sons, the anti-graft court upheld the multimillion-peso plunder charge filed against them by the Ombudsman last April.

The retired general himself is being charged as the principal accused while his wife and children are being held liable for allegedly helping him conceal his ill-gotten wealth.

Garcia had been sentenced to two years hard labor by a military tribunal, which observers described as a slap on the wrist considering the seriousness of the offense.

Prosecutors have so far discovered 41 bank accounts in the name of the Garcia family.

Some of the accounts were withdrawn before a freeze order could be issued by the Court of Appeals following the petition of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Aside from the bank accounts, prosecutors have traced two condominium units and a house and lot in the United States allegedly owned by the Garcias.

The family also acquired several real estate properties in Iloilo, Batangas and Baguio City as well as a fleet of expensive vehicles.

The bank accounts, real estate properties, vehicles and businesses were either under Garcia’s name or that of Clarita and their children.

Prosecutors noted Clarita’s admission to US authorities that her husband routinely received money and "gifts" for approving military contracts with private contractors only proved the former general had violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Malacañang said the arrest order against the Garcia family by the Sandiganbayan should serve as a warning to other public officials and their families that the government is serious about eradicating graft and corruption.

"The court has spoken with clarity and decisiveness on this plunder case. Let this be a warning to corrupt officials and to their families that public funds are meant to serve the people, not to line pockets of a few," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

He said the order by the Sandiganbayan to take custody of Garcia’s family in the plunder case "proves that no one is above the law and the fight against corruption under the Arroyo administration is relentless."

President Arroyo earlier admitted that corruption was deeply entrenched in the country’s system and that it would take time to curb the problem.

But she assured that lifestyle checks among government officials and employees would continue to determine who among the public servants are accumulating unexplained wealth.

The military and the police have cited corruption in various institutions as the main reason why some of them have become restive.

Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said Mrs. Arroyo would sit down with the military and police for a dialogue to address much-needed reforms in the uniformed services. — With Aurea Calica