Monday, September 29, 2008 Justice Sabio on leave starting today
COMMISSIONER Narciso Nario will be the officer-in-charge of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) as Chairman Camilo Sabio goes on his scheduled indefinite leave of absence effective today, Monday.
Sabio's leave is in preparation for the disbarment proceedings for his alleged interference in the legal squabble between the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
Nario will lead the commissioners in a simple flag raising ceremony at the PCGG on Monday.
He said he will continue the programs of Sabio as he would work for the speedy resolution of the Marcos cases before the Sandiganbayan.
Sabio had requested President Gloria Macapal-Arroyo to allow him to take a leave until the Supreme Court's (SC) Office of the Bar Confidant decides on the disbarment complaint against him.
Sabio insisted that he will stay as chairman of the PCGG and will only step down in 2010 or if President Arroyo replaces him.
The official faced the threat of disbarment in the wake of a bribery scandal that has rocked the Court of Appeals (CA) over a case involving the GSIS and Meralco.
Besides suspending Sabio's brother, Justice Jose Sabio Jr., the high court had also referred to the Office of the Bar Confidant Camilo's supposed attempt to influence Jose to favor the GSIS in the Meralco case.
The case stemmed from a legal battle for control of the management of the Lopez-owned utility firm.
The high court has suspended the CA justice for two months without pay following the recommendation of a three-man panel investigating the alleged bribery attempts and coercion in the controversial case.
Sabio had reiterated his belief that he did not commit any impropriety when he spoke to his brother about the Meralco case.
The leave will only took effect Monday because the PCGG chairman had prior commitments abroad. He went on trips to Paris, France and Vienna, Austria. (AH/Sunnex)
