Ex-PAF officials to appeal graft conviction

MANILA, Philippines - Two former officials of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) are expected to appeal a Sandiganbayan decision that sentenced them to a maximum of 17 years in jail for graft and malversation of public funds last week.

A lawyer representing former brigadier general Vladimir Binondo de los Trino told reporters after the judgment was read out at the anti-graft court that they “will study” the ruling and will look into the possibility of filing a motion for reconsideration.

Under the rules, an accused may file an appeal 15 days after the decision is issued.

De los Trino and former major Antoinio Jason Garcia were sentenced to six to 10 years in jail for graft and another 12 to 17 years for malversation of public funds.

They were also ordered to each pay P2.4 million in fines and penalties for causing undue injury to the government.

De los Trino was then commander of the 2nd Tactical Operations Wing and Garcia the 564th Supply Squadron commander – both at the Mactan Air Base in Cebu – when they sold four backup power generators of the PAF to Antonio Ularte of Eduard Enterprise for P800,000 in December 2002.

The Office of the Ombudsman said the two men, in connivance with supply accountable officer Dante Senen of the Military Supply Unit, sold the generators at a questionably low price because there was another offer to buy the generators for P1.2 million.

The Sandiganbayan’s third division convicted both men for giving unwarranted benefits to a person or firm with a lower price offer. The anti-graft court said unserviceable properties of the government, such as the generators, need to be disposed of through a public bidding.

The PAF said it respects the Sandiganbayan’s decision and assured the public that measures are in place to prevent malpractice among its officers.

“Having retired from the military, it is incumbent upon the respondents at this point to provide for their own legal defense,” PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said in a phone interview.