Ex-PSC chief seeks court’s nod for Malaysia trip

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to leave the country for four days despite his pending graft case in connection with the alleged anomalous hiring of personnel in 2009.

In his motion filed on Oct. 1, Angping asked the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division to allow him to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Oct. 11 to 14.

Angping said he is set to attend a “business meeting” with Low Beng Chiu, the president of the Malaysia Softball Association and Softball Confederation Asia.

Angping said he will be billeted at Grand Millenium Hotel for the entire duration of the trip.

He said he had previously posted P60,000 as travel bond, which he has not withdrawn, which may serve as his bond for his requested trip.

Angping, a former congressman from Manila, is facing one count of graft before the Sixth Division in connection with the alleged anomalous hiring of personnel in 2009 during his term as PSC chairman.

The Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the case in 2013, said Angping hired 80 janitorial personnel from Philcare Manpower Services without holding any public bidding and without the approval of the PSC board.

Based on the contract that Angping entered with Philcare Manpower, each personnel shall be paid P15,324.42 monthly from March 1, 2009, to Jan. 31, 2011.