Prosecution asks Sandiganbayan to subpoena Mark Jimenez

MANILA, Philippines - The prosecution wants former Manila representative Mark Jimenez subpoenaed by the Sandiganbayan to testify on the robbery charge against former Justice Secretary Hernando "Nani" Perez and three others. In a motion filed late Tuesday before the anti-graft court, Assistant Special Prosecutor Lynette J. Ludan said she intends to call Jimenez (a.k.a. Mario Crespo) to the witness stand when hearing on the case starts on June 30, 2008 at 1:30 in the afternoon. The prosecution considers Jimenez as its star witness against Perez and his wife Rosario, brother-in-law Ramon Arceo, and business associate Ernest Escaler. The Office of the Special Prosecutor said Jimenez’s address was traced at the penthouse of the Essensa Towers in The Fort, Taguig City. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Jimenez before the Office of the Ombudsman alleging that Perez extorted $2 million from him in February 2001. Jimenez accused Perez of pressuring him to testify “against certain prominent individuals” and asked him to execute affidavits implicating said people in stock market manipulations so they can be indicted in a plunder charge along with deposed President Joseph Estrada. Jimenez said he agreed on condition that he will be admitted into the Witness Protection Program, but Perez allegedly played him along until he decided to back out. The former Manila solon said Perez threatened to imprison him and his family unless he pays up $2 million. The Ombudsman recommended the filing of criminal charges against Perez in 2007, but the latter moved for reconsideration that was dismissed a year later. During the pendency of Perez’s appeal, Jimenez filed an affidavit of desistance signifying his intention to withdraw the complaint against the respondents. The Ombudsman, however, still indicted Perez and his co-accused. Aside from Jimenez, also included in the list of state witnesses were Wayne Patrick Walsh, deputy principal government counsel for the Hong Kong-Department of Justice; Wendy Lee Wing Tak, manager of Coutts Bank’s Regulatory Risk; Vladimir Stemberger, vice president and legal counsel of EFG Private Bank. - GMANews.TV