Speaking to reporters at his office in Mandaluyong, Sabio said a Supreme Court ruling allows the PCGG to enter into compromise agreements in civil cases and to grant immunity, under certain circumstances, in criminal cases.
"So if you obey the law, if you obey the charter of our office, we should encourage compromise agreements and/or amicable settlements," he said.
Sabio said the Supreme Court had ruled that amicable settlements and compromise agreements were not only allowed, but actually encouraged in civil cases.
"The authority of the PCGG to validly enter into compromise agreements for the purpose of avoiding litigation or putting an end to one already commenced was indisputable," he said.
Sabio said in the case of Marcos associate Jose Y. Campos and his family, the PCGG issued a resolution on May 28, 1986 granting Campos and his family immunity from civil and criminal prosecution.
"Undoubtedly, this resolution embodies a compromise agreement between the PCGG and Jose Y. Campos in exchange for voluntary surrender of the ill-gotten properties acquired by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos and his family, which Campos controlled," he said.
"Campos and his family were given full immunity in both civil and criminal prosecutions."
Sabio said in the absence of an expressed prohibition, the rule on amicable agreements and/or compromise agreements in civil cases, under the Civil Code, is applicable to PCGG cases.
"The vital task of the commission is the just and expeditious recovery of such ill-gotten wealth in order that the funds, assets and other properties may be used to hasten national economic recovery," he said. — With Delon Porcalla