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Sombero skips Senate hearing on BI bribery

February 9, 2017 | 1:00pm

Sombero skips Senate hearing on BI bribery

Retired police general Wally Sombero turns over to the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday the P2 million, which is part of the bribe money at the Bureau of Immigration.

Philstar.com / Boy Santos, File

MANILA, Philippines — Retired police officer Wenceslao "Wally" Sombero on Thursday failed to appear before a Senate panel probing bribery allegations at the Immigrations bureau.

In a letter read by lawyer Ted Contacto in the third Blue Ribbon Senate committee hearing on Thursday, Retired Police Chief Superintendent Wally Sombero sited medical reasons and threats on his life as reasons for not attending.

In a letter that lawyer Ted Contacto read to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, Sombero said he missed a previous hearing due to threats on his and his family's life.

"Sir, with all due respect, the confirmation of the persistent reports pertaining to the active threat against me and my family's safety was the primary reason why I opted not to attend the second day of the Senate hearing," the letter read.

He added that he was set to return to the Philippines from Canada on February 6, 2017 in time to attend the third hearing, but was stopped by airport authorities and airline officials due to "palpitations and shortness of breath" when he was about to board the plane.

"Upon checking by the airport 911 paramedics, it was confirmed that my [blood] sugar shot up to 450," Sombero wrote.

He also said that he was to be brought to the Richmonde General Hospital in Vancouver but insisted on boarding the next available flight to the Philippines. However, he was asked to see a cardiologist before a clearance to rebook his flight would be given.

"At present, I am still trying my best to secure a clearance from a doctor here in order to board the next available flight in time for third day's scheduled hearing," Sombero wrote.

He also reiterated in the letter that he wants to appear before the Blue Ribbon committee in person "to personally assert the fact that it was a consummated extortion rather than a mere perception of bribery."

Blue Ribbon Senate committee chairman Sen. Richard Gordon meanwhile asked to see a medical certificate once Sombero has secured one, and an estimate as to when he will be able to return.

He added that he is prepared to suspend the hearing "until he shows up."

"If he doesn't show up, then we just have to issue a contempt case against him," Gordon said.

'Aguirre approved travel'

Sombero also clarified that he asked Justice Secretary Vitalliano Aguirre II for permission to leave the country on January 16 to travel abroad for medical treatment as he had "had a series of heart attacks in recent years."

He said he left for Singapore and Taiwan on January 17.

Sombero allegedly acted as the middleman between Chinese casino mogul Jack Lam and two BI executives who allegedly took P50 million for the release of 1,316 Chinese nationals arrested and detained at the Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Pampanga on Nov. 24 , 2016 for overstaying and other violations of immigration laws.