Noynoy Aquino posts P40,000 bail in graft, usurpation case

Former President Benigno Aquino III on Friday posted a P40,000 bail before the Sandiganbayan to secure his provisional liberty while the charges over his alleged role in the ill-fated encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in 2015 is ongoing.

Aquino was joined by his sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, and Viel Aquino-Dy, as well as by his legal counsel, when he arrived at the Sandiganbayan Third Division's Office of the Clerk of Court before 4 p.m.

Liberal Party stalwarts Senators Bam Aquino and Franklin Drilon, and former presidential spokespersons Abigail Valte and Edwin Lacierda were also with him.

Aside from them, former Agriculture Secretary Proseso Alcala and former Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya accompanied their former boss.

Aquino underwent the usual booking procedures and submitted his own ID pictures instead of the usual mugshots.

He then paid a courtesy call on Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, whom he has appointed to the Sandiganbayan in 2012 and as presiding justice in October 2013.

Tang earlier said the case of Aquino will be no different than those she has been handling. She also said she will not inhibit in the case. 

Probable cause

Aquino posted the P40,000 bail just minutes after the Sandiganbayan found probable cause against him.

In a chance interview with reporters, Third Division clerk of court Atty. Dennis Pulma confirmed that the magistrates found sufficient basis to hold Aquino for trial for graft and usurpation of official function.

Pulma added that the division's justices have signed an arrest warrant, but it was no longer issued since Aquino already posted bail around 4 p.m.

"May resolution ang court finding probable cause and also to issue warrant of arrest," he said.

Pulma further said the Sandiganbayan issued a hold departure order against Aquino and has already forwarded the same to the Bureau of Immigration.

In line with this, Aquino needs to secure an approval from the Sandiganbayan for his future travels abroad.

The resolution, however, has yet to be released to media.

Meanwhile, Pulma said the Sandiganbayan tentatively scheduled Aquino's arraignment and pre-trial on January 12, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.

"But considering that the former president has already posted bail, what the court simply made was to set the cases for arraignment and pre-teial  on January 12, 2018 at 1:30 p.m," Pulma said.

Incidentally, the arraignment of Aquino is on the same day his former vice president, Jejomar Binay Sr., is expected to enter his plea over the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall parking building.

Press conference

From the Sandiganbayan, the former chief executive will return to his home in Times Street, Quezon City, where he is expected to hold a press conference.

The case of Aquino, who was charged with graft and usurpation of official function, was raffled to the Third Division on Friday morning. 

The Office of the Ombudsman has accused Aquino of influencing former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima, who was forced to defy his preventive suspension and the chain of command, during the operation in Mamasapano.

At that time, the PNP was under acting chief Leonardo Espina.

Purisima, according to the Ombudsman, gave instructions, received reports and recommendations, and approved the actions of PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) commander Gutulio Napeñas during the Mamasapano operation dubbed "Oplan Exodus."

"Aquino fully knew that Purisima was under preventive suspension from office and that it was Officer-In-Charge PNP chief Leonardo Espina who had the authority to oversee the preparation for and conduct of Oplan Exodus, to the damage of public interest," the charge sheet reads.

Purisima and Napeñas are facing the same graft and usurpation charges at the Fourth Division.

The Mamasapano operation led to the deaths of over 60 people, including 44 SAF fighters. —KBK, GMA News