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[av_heading heading=’Sandigan orders arrest of ex-Budget dep’t usec’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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January 19, 2018
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MANILA – The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division ordered the arrest of former Department of Budget and Management undersecretary Mario Relampagos after he failed to return from his trip to the United States within the period allowed.
Relampagos was one of several officials facing criminal charges for alleged involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam. The Sandiganbayan has dismissed him twice over separate cases.
In a decision released on Thursday, the anti-graft court also ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to immediately cancel his passport and tasked state prosecutors to initiate extradition proceedings against him.
Earlier the Sandiganbayan allowed Relampagos to leave for the United States from Dec. 2, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018. He has not yet returned to the country.
“In view of the foregoing, Relampagos’ cash bond of P70,000 and travel bond of P35,000 are forfeited,” the Sandiganbayan said. “Let a warrant of arrest be issued against defendant immediately.”
The Sandiganbayan also ordered Relampagos’ lawyers, Godofredo de Guzman, Arnold Caga and Christopher John Lao, to explain why they should not be cited in contempt for failure to comply with their affidavit of undertaking, which they executed to allow their client to travel abroad.
Relampagos’ lawyers said their client opted not to return to the country due to various reasons relating to his numerous indictments over the PDAF scam./PN
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