Iligan City solon seeks Sandigan’s approval for three-week Europe trip

Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao sought the nod of the Sandiganbayan for his 21-day vacation to Europe while his graft case over an alleged anomalous lease of land proceeds.

Siao filed an urgent motion for leave to travel at the court’s Third Division on May 28.

In his motion, Siao said he intends to travel to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Austria from June 18 to July 9 with his family.

“Accused Cong. Siao has already made prior arrangements and commitments to travel to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Austria to attend to business matters and for leisure with his family,” Siao said.

The lawmaker said he is fully committed to return to the Philippines after the trip and is willing to comply with requirements that the Sandiganbayan may impose.

“Furthermore, there is no reason to fear that Cong. Siao will be a fugitive from justice and law considering that he has, in the past, faithfully complied with all the directives of this honorable court,” Siao said.

Siao attached a travel authority issued by the office of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on April 8.

In 2013, then-Councilor Siao and the rest of the city council allegedly passed a resolution authorizing then-Mayor Lawrence Cruz to sign an agreement with Salvatori Development Corporation (SDC) for the lease of 20,000 square meters of land in Barangay Tubod for the operation of the Iligan Bus and Jeepney Terminal.

The prosecution said the agreement failed to undergo a public bidding due to the accused's preference for SDC.

The Sandiganbayan imposed a 90-day preventive suspension against Siao but it has yet to receive an update from Arroyo’s office. —KG, GMA News