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Thursday, January 25, 2007
Ang admits diverting P130M in tobacco taxes
MANILA -- Charlie "Atong" Ang on Wednesday admitted conspiring with former President Joseph Estrada to allegedly divert P130 million in tobacco excise taxes intended for Ilocos Sur.
Ang, a co-accused in the P4 billion plunder case filed Estrada, made the statement in a motion requesting for a plea bargain that would enable him to admit to a lesser offense of corruption.
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Unlike plunder, corruption is not punishable by life imprisonment. Under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code (RVC), the crime of corruption of public officials is punishable by jail term of two years and four months to six years.
Ang's lawyer Alfredo Villamor relayed his client's decision to the court, during the pre-trial hearing of his plunder case. Ang was a consultant of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) under the Estrada administration.
The Estrada camp was not surprised by Ang's decision.
"What the former President felt for Ang was all pity," said Rufus Rodriguez, Estrada's lawyer.
Rodriguez said Estrada pitied Ang who, in exchange for saving his own neck, gave in to the pressure of helping the deposed president's detractors pin him down by "whatever means possible."
The timing of the decision too was suspicious because it came barely four months before the May elections, he said.
But Villamor said the deal entered into by his client and the prosecution has nothing to do with the former President's plunder case. He claimed that it will not be used against Estrada.
But reading through the motion filed by Villamor, it said there that Ang would assist the prosecution to the extent of testifying in cases being prosecuted by the government to which he has personal knowledge.
The agreement further said that Ang has admitted the facts upon which the charge of plunder against him was based.
Ang even offered to return the P25 million, which he claimed to have taken and enjoyed from the amount of P130 million that he allegedly conspired to divert with Estrada.
The amount, although it could not be paid in cash, is subject of a writ of attachment earlier issued by the court.
Chief Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said Ang was only availing himself of the privilege provided under Section 2, Rule 116 and Rule 119 of the Rules of Court when he entered into the agreement.
During the hearing, Sandiganbayan Special Division chairperson Teresita Leonardo de Castro said she and her associate justices -- Diosdado Peralta and Francisco Villaruz Jr. -- would try to resolve by next week whether to admit Ang's plea or not.
The justices even asked Ang, who was also present during the proceedings, if he fully understood what was written on the agreement which he entered into with the members of the prosecution, and if he was aware of the consequences of his decision. Ang answered that he does.
Jay Flaminiano, one of the lawyers of Estrada, asked the court after the hearing if the defense panel could be furnished a copy of Ang's statement. He also asked that the defense be allowed to respond to the contents of the agreement, especially if they appear to be prejudicial to Estrada.
But Ignacio said there was no need for them to furnish the defense panel a copy of the agreement because the matter involves only Ang and it does not concern the other accused in the case.
Estrada, whose plunder trial finally ended last year after five long years, hoped that the court would disregard Ang's plea.
Ang, who was extradited to the Philippines only last November, left the country even before Estrada's ouster in January 2001. He was arrested by US authorities and detained in Las Vegas late 2001 on an extradition request made by the Philippine government. He is now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City pending a decision on his case. (DBP/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (January 25, 2007 issue)
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