Perez seeks consolidation of 4 cases against him before Sandiganbayan
MANILA, Philippines - Embattled former Justice Secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez has moved for the consolidation of four criminal charges pending against him before four divisions of the Sandiganbayan.
In a motion dated July 4, Perez pointed out that all four cases “emanated from one alleged criminal act… allegedly committed on the same date, time and place” which gave rise to “interrelated questions of law and facts.”
Perez, his wife Rosario, brother-in-law Ramon Arceo and businessman Ernest Escaler, were charged with graft and robbery before the First and Second Divisions of the graft court. He is a lone defendant in a second graft case and a charge for falsification of public documents.
“In order to insure a more orderly proceeding and administration of justice and in the interest of judicial economy herein defendants respectfully request that the instant case(s) be consolidated,” Perez said in his motion.
Perez said Sandiganbayan rules allow such consolidation under similar circumstances to the division where the case with the lowest assigned docket number is pending.
The cases filed against the four respondents stemmed from a complaint filed by former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, who accused them of extorting $2 million from him in 2001.
Jimenez claimed Perez used his position as DOJ secretary to threaten and intimidate him into executing affidavits that would implicate associates of former President Joseph Estrada in the latter’s plunder case.
When he declined, Perez reportedly threatened to throw him behind bars unless he pays $2 million. - GMANews.TV
In a motion dated July 4, Perez pointed out that all four cases “emanated from one alleged criminal act… allegedly committed on the same date, time and place” which gave rise to “interrelated questions of law and facts.”
Perez, his wife Rosario, brother-in-law Ramon Arceo and businessman Ernest Escaler, were charged with graft and robbery before the First and Second Divisions of the graft court. He is a lone defendant in a second graft case and a charge for falsification of public documents.
“In order to insure a more orderly proceeding and administration of justice and in the interest of judicial economy herein defendants respectfully request that the instant case(s) be consolidated,” Perez said in his motion.
Perez said Sandiganbayan rules allow such consolidation under similar circumstances to the division where the case with the lowest assigned docket number is pending.
The cases filed against the four respondents stemmed from a complaint filed by former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, who accused them of extorting $2 million from him in 2001.
Jimenez claimed Perez used his position as DOJ secretary to threaten and intimidate him into executing affidavits that would implicate associates of former President Joseph Estrada in the latter’s plunder case.
When he declined, Perez reportedly threatened to throw him behind bars unless he pays $2 million. - GMANews.TV
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