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US returns to PHL $100k seized from sons of ex-MGen. Carlos Garcia in 2003


Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales received—in behalf of the Filipino people—a check for $100,000 representing the cash two sons of former armed forces comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia tried to sneak into the United States in 2003.   US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas personally handed the check to the Ombudsman Thursday in Quezon City and assured the Office of the Ombudsman of his country’s continuing support to stamp out corruption.   Morales said that with the turnover, which was hastened by the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the US and the Philippines,  the anti-corruption campaign of the  Office of the Ombudsman “reap(s) the fruits of years of monitoring, law enforcement, investigation, coordination and prosecution.”   Juan Paulo and Ian Carl Garcia, were arrested at the San Franciso International Airport in 2003, but it was not until September 2010 when they entered into a plea agreement with US prosecutors, and got sentenced to time already served.   The $100,000 seized from them was forfeited by the court. Federal authorities returned it to the Philippine government.   The arrest of Garcia’s sons led to the investigation and eventual arrest of their father on separate criminal charges and court martial.   Garcia was convicted by the military court in December 2005 but his incarceration was not effected until President Benigno Aquino III confirmed the court martial decision.   The retired general is serving his two-year jail term but he still faces a plunder case for alleged diversion of military funds. The plunder charges are pending before the Sandiganbayan.   Morales and the Office of the Solicitor General have sought nullification of the plea bargain deal the former Ombudsman, Merceditas Gutierrez entered into with Garcia. — ELR/KG, GMA News

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