MALACAÑANG said the recent decision by the Sandiganbayan’s approval of the plea bargaining
deal between the government and former Armed Forces comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia
hasn’t changed the administration’s resolve to fight graft and corruption.
Some lawmakers said the Sandiganbayan’s decision impacted on the campaign of President
Benigno Aquino III in combating graft and corruption in the country.
“There’s no change in the President’s resolve to fight corruption. It hasn’t changed despite this
kind of decision,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in the regular press
briefing on Wednesday at Malacanang.
The Sandiganbayan approved on Monday the plea bargaining agreement of Garcia with the
Office of the Ombudsman, which allowed him to plead guilty to two lesser offenses and to post
bail despite a P303-million plunder case filed against him.
The anti-graft court said that after assessing the totality of the testimonial and documentary
evidence presented by the prosecution, it didn’t find evidence that pins down Garcia of plunder.
It noted that the evidence presented by the prosecution is not enough to convict Garcia of that
offense.
The President said this week that he was surprised by Sandiganbayan’s decision on the Garcia
case adding that he had asked the Executive Secretary, the Solicitor General and the Secretary
of Justice to find possible legal remedies that serve the best interest of the people.
The Office of the Solicitor General may file a motion for reconsideration with the Sandiganbayan
and in case it is rejected, the government will go directly to the Supreme Court, the President
said. (PCOO/PIA)