Ex-AFP comptroller wants to stay in Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines - Former military comptroller Carlos Garcia is asking the Sandiganbayan to allow him to stay at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) even after he completes his two-year sentence next month for violating the Articles of War.

“May I respectfully request from the Honorable Justices that in the event of release, that I be committed and to continue my detention here at the NBP,” Garcia said in his Aug. 2 letter. He is due for release on Sept. 15.

The retired major general said he is now a lay minister at the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, where he assists the chaplain “in rendering religious and spiritual services to my fellow detainees. Also, it gave me the opportunity to attend church services daily.”

The Sandiganbayan had earlier directed the NBP not to release Garcia after it withdrew its 2010 resolution that allowed him to post bail after he pleaded guilty to direct bribery and facilitating money laundering and surrendered P150 million in cash, cars and real estate.

The original charges were plunder and money laundering.