Mayor in Aman scam seeks CA relief

MANILA, Philippines - Fugitive Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co has asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to stop his indictment before the Iligan regional trial court (RTC) for his alleged involvement in the P12-billion investment scam by Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc. 

While in hiding, Co had his lawyers file a petition for review with the CA division in Cagayan de Oro City questioning the Department of Justice’s approval of the syndicated estafa charges filed against him by several disgruntled victims of Aman.

Specifically, he asked the CA to issue a temporary restraining order that would effectively stop the RTC from proceeding with the case against him and allow him to surface and proceed with his congressional bid in the upcoming polls.

Co also asked the appellate court to nullify the DOJ resolution for being issued with grave abuse of discretion.

“The trial court has no jurisdiction over Mayor Co because he is under Salary Grade 30 so the case should have been referred to the Office of the Ombudsman,” his lawyer, Angel Gatmaitan, said.

Another lawyer, Trixie Angeles, insisted that the case against Co is politically motivated.

“The grave abuse of discretion lies in the DOJ’s reliance on mere hearsay evidence to show probable cause and the manner the DOJ rushed to file the case in Iligan,” the lawyer said in a text message to reporters.

Angeles reiterated that Co is not hiding and that he only wants to avail himself of legal remedies in questioning his indictment by the DOJ for syndicated estafa, a non-bailable crime, during a crucial period of his congressional bid.

Last April 11, the Iligan RTC Branch 1 ordered the arrest of Co.

Authorities tried but failed to serve the warrant at his home, office and other places in Pagadian City.

He had earlier denied the charges and claimed he was also a victim of the scam perpetrated by the firm owned by Manuel Amalilio.

The DOJ special panel, however, dismissed his denial and indicted him. A certification issued by Aman showing him as an “authorized agent” of the firm along with testimonies of victims were cited as evidence.