Monday, March 17, 2008
PCGG defends officials' US travel for Marcos trial (12:16 p.m.)
MANILA -- Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) said the US travel of PCGG officials to attend the US Supreme Court (SC) oral arguments on the US$40 million Marcos ill-gotten wealth is "purely official and not a junket."
"The travel of Chairman Camilo Sabio and PCGG personnel is purely an official one and not a junket as what the report is trying to insinuate. It is covered by a travel authority that directs the chairman to perform certain responsibilities and his presence together with PCGG officials is crucial in the on-going litigation on the Arelma account in the United States," PCGG information head Nick Suarez said.
"While it is true that Chairman Sabio left for the US over the weekend with other officials of the commission to meet with the American lawyers for the hearing of the Supreme Court (SC) on March 17, 2008, the PCGG, however, wants to correct the report and make it clear that Sabio's Chief of Staff Albert Feria, and PCGG Commission Secretary Romulo Siazon did not leave with the chairman for the scheduled hearing on the case," Suarez added.
He likewise clarified report that Sabio's daughter May Sabio Feria was part of PCGG entourage since the latter "is not part of the group that traveled to the US as she is not an employee of the commission."
The PCGG also denied reports that each member of Sabio's party was given US$10,000 each for the trip.
The report, as claimed by sources, "that each member of Sabio's party was given US$10,000 for plane fare and allowance is also erroneous and without basis. Travel allowances given to those who travel abroad or even locally are in accordance with established standard rate for all officials and employees of the government to which PCGG strictly adheres to."
Suarez admitted that Sabio's wife, Marlene, was with the chairman in the said US trip. He, however, claimed that no government funds will be use for her travel since the couple (Sabio and wife) will "put the bill" (for all expenses for Marlene's travel abroad) out of their own pocket.
The lawyer of the human rights victim, American Robert Swift expressed confidence of a positive ruling in their claim on the ill-gotten wealth of the late strongman.
Swift said he is prepared to argue the case saying the evidence is on their side that the amount stashed away in a brokerage account at Merrill Lynch in the name of Arelma, a phony Panamanian corporation does not belonged to the Philippine government as claimed and should have been distributed to the victims. (AH/Sunnex) |
