Supreme Court: Dismissal of Sandigan Justice Ong final

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed its decision to dismiss Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Gregory Ong in rejecting the magistrate's appeal.

"The Court denied respondent's Oct. 13, 2014 Motion for Reconsideration for lack of merit," SC spokesperson Theodore Te said in a press conference cited by a state news report.

In a September 23 decision, the high court found Ong guilty of "gross misconduct, dishonesty and impropriety" in connection with the anti-graft court magistrate's decision to acquit alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles from anomalies in the government purchase of 500 Kevlar helmets in 2010.

In his motion, Ong argued that dismissing the case against Napoles was not his personal call, but a move by a collegial body.

Besides putting an end to Ong's decades-long government service, the Supreme Court also banned him from returning to any government agency or corporation.

The case against Ong stemmed from disclosures by pork barrel scam lead whistleblower Benhur Luy before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last year, accusing Ong of being in personal contact with Napoles.

Napoles is currently detained for plunder in connection with the alleged malversation of billions in legislative Priority Development Assistance Funds through bogus livelihood organizations. - Camille Diola