Ex-PCGG chief faces graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday ordered the filing of graft charges against former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chairman Camilo Sabio before the Sandiganbayan.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro said Sabio was accused of misappropriating almost P12 million worth of government funds.

In a 20-page resolution, he said two cases for malversation of public funds would also be lodged against Sabio before the anti-graft court.

Sabio allegedly embezzled PCGG funds by diverting the funds to his personal use when he made a cash advance worth P1,555,862.03 supposedly for accommodation, contingency funds, litigation fees and other related expenses in connection with a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He also allegedly misused government money in the amount of P10,350,000 that was received by the PCGG as remittances by sequestered companies like the Mid-Pasig Land Development Corp. and from the sale of A. Soriano Corp. shares which form part of the ill-gotten wealth of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Casimiro, who has been ordering the filing of cases almost daily since he became acting ombudsman because of the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in May, said there is a need to advance a pro-active approach to fighting graft and corruption.

He said he has directed all resident ombudsmen deployed to various government agencies to be vigilant in addressing corruption vulnerabilities of public officials, especially on issues concerning timely and proper liquidation of cash advances.