Sandigan junks Sabio’s appeal on graft conviction

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has denied another appeal of former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chairman Camilo Sabio seeking the reversal of his conviction for graft over alleged influence-peddling in 2008.

In a resolution dated June 25 and uploaded on its website last week, the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division said a second motion for reconsideration is considered a “prohibited pleading” under Section 2, Rule 52 of the Rules of Court to prevent the same party from assailing a judgment or resolution that has already attained finality.

The Sandiganbayan said Sabio failed to raise new arguments that would warrant the reversal of his conviction.

The resolution was penned by Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna with the concurrence of Associate Justices Alex Quiroz and Bayani Jacinto.

The Fourth Division has ordered Sabio’s arrest following the dismissal of his first motion for reconsideration on Jan. 27.

The court said the conviction of the former PCGG chief has become “final and executory” after he failed to file his appeal on time.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Sabio at his house in Quezon City on June 5. 

He is being held at the NBI headquarters in Manila despite a commitment order issued by the court that he must be detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.