Abalos can now travel to Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines - Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr.'s plan to go to Taiwan to buy live bangus fingerling can now push through after another local court in Pasay City granted his request to travel.

In a two-page order, Judge Eugenio dela Cruz of Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 117 allowed Abalos to travel to Taiwan from November 27 to 30.

Dela Cruz said in his order that the ex-poll chief was able to show sincerity in his promise that he will return to the Philippines after the business trip to face the charges against him.

Abalos' camp filed a motion for reconsideration before the court to allow the former Comelec chief's party to fly to Taiwan to purchase bangus fingerlings and feeds.

In granting the motion, the court also ordered Abalos to post a P110,000 cash bond prior to his departure.

Abalos, who is facing 11 counts of electoral sabotage before Dela Cruz's sala is currently out on bail.

On Monday, the Pasay City RTC Branch 112 granted also Abalos' motion to travel to Taiwan to buy live bangus fingerling for his fishpond business.

Felda Domingo, Pasay RTC branch 112 spokesperson, said the travel permit will be effective from November 27 to 30 provided that Abalos will put up a P200,000 travel bond.

Abalos is facing electoral sabotage charges at the court of Judge Mupas for alleged fraud during the 2007 elections in North Cotabato.

The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division, where Abalos is facing graft charges, had also granted the motion of Abalos to travel to Taiwan after he put up P90,000 travel bond.

Abalos explained that he wants to see for himself the possible sources of fingerlings and fish feeds to be able to make the decision himself.

The anti-graft court also ordered Abalos to post a bail bond of P180,000 and comply with all the usual requirements, including reporting to the anti-graft court after he returns to the country.

He is facing graft charges for his alleged involvement in the national broadband network (NBN) deal anomaly before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division.