‘Ong may face criminal charges’

MANILA, Philippines – Dismissed Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Gregory Ong could face criminal charges, depending on the findings of retired Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez.

The Supreme Court (SC) had tasked Gutierrez to investigate allegations of wrongdoing against Ong.

Speaking to reporters, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she would like to see for herself the SC decision and the fact-finding report of Gutierrez.

“We have to look at the findings to see if there is basis for possible criminal liability,” she said.

“But at this point, I don’t want to categorically state that he could be held criminally liable.” 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has concurrent power with the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate graft and corruption allegations against incumbent and former government officials.

De Lima said criminal charges against Ong are possible if a complaint is filed against him.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) can investigate the allegations, she added.

An SC insider told The STAR the Office of the Ombudsman could still investigate allegations that Ong received bribe money from Janet Lim-Napoles and file graft charges before the Sandiganbayan.

However, a criminal prosecution of Ong “would depend on proof available,” the insider added.

The SC findings were only based on administrative charges of gross misconduct, dishonesty and impropriety, the insider said.

The Gutierrez report said Ong acted as “Napoles’ contact” in the anti-graft court and fixed the Kevlar helmet case to acquit Napoles.

Ong received an undetermined amount of money from Napoles prior to the promulgation of the decision, the report added.

Ong was also accused of receiving 11 checks amounting to P3,102,000 from Napoles as advanced personal interest.

However, the SC ruled last Sept. 23 when it dismissed Ong from the judiciary that corruption charges were not proven since Benhur Luy and Marina Sula did not witness Ong actually receiving money from Napoles.