Atong Ang likely to be freed in 20 days

MANILA, Philippines - Charlie “Atong" Ang, the erstwhile gambling buddy of former President Joseph Estrada, is likely to be a free man in 20 days. That is if the Quezon City Parole and Probation Office, which has jurisdiction over Ang, will recommend it, according to Renato Bocar, chief clerk of court and spokesman of the Sandiganbayan. He said the Sandiganbayan Special Division is just waiting word from Ang’s probation officer. “It is not an automatic process. It depends on a favorable recommendation from his probation officer. If there are no negative comments, then Mister Ang will be released when his two-year probation expires on May 25," Bocar said. Ang was the gaming consultant of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) during the Estrada administration. He was placed under two-year probation in lieu of a six-year jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to a lesser crime of corruption of public officials in relation to indirect bribery. In his plea bargain deal, Ang admitted involvement in the illegal diversion of P130 million tobacco excise tax earmarked for the province of Ilocos Sur. His admission corroborated the testimony of former Ilocos Norte Gov. Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson, star witness for the prosecution in the plunder case against Estrada. Singson told the court that he and Ang delivered the money to the residence of Estrada at no. 1 Polk Street in North Greenhills, San Juan in late 1998. As part of his plea bargain, Ang returned to the government the P25 million he admitted skimming off the P130 million before the funds were delivered to Estrada. Meanwhile, defense lawyer Ruth Castelo said Ang has fully complied with all conditions set by the court and that he is expecting a favorable report from his probation officer. “We expect him [Ang] to be released, because we have fully complied. We don’t see any hitch. We will wait for the resolution of the court," the lawyer said. Castelo also disclosed that Ang has spoken of his plan to go the United States once his probation is lifted. Ang’s family resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. - GMANews.TV