Appeals court denies high-profile inmate Herbert Colanggo’s bail petition

The Court of Appeals Fifth Division has junked the petition for bail filed by high-profile convict Herbert Colanggo.

Colanggo, convicted leader of the Ampang Colanggo robbery group, filed his bail petition last June citing his deteriorating health and the need for him to seek treatment outside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Colanggo was arrested in 2009 and sentenced by the Parañaque Regional Trial Court branch 194 to reclusion perpetua or imprisonment of up to 40 years for bank robberies in the early 2000s.

The convict, among the Bilibid 19 inmates who testified against Sen. Leila de Lima in the House of Representatives' hearing on the alleged NBP drug trade, had also asked the court to reopen his case because of alleged new evidence that would prove he was not guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

In his petition, Colanggo cited the case of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who was allowed by the Supreme Court to post bail because of his old age. The senator is facing charges in connection with the multi-billion pork barrel fund scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim Napoles.

The appellate court said in its decision that Colanggo is not qualified for bail because of his sentence and that his case is different from Enrile, who has yet to be convicted.

"Verily, accused-appellant (Colanggo) failed to demonstrate such qualities as that of Enrile to merit the leniency of this Court," the CA said through Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr.

"Thus, accused-appellant's argument that he has the constitutional right to bail and that the evidence of guilt against him is not strong is wanting. Certainly, after one is convicted by the trial court, the presumption of innocence, and with it, the constitutional right to bail ends," the Court said.

Colanggo is not eligible for bail, the CA said, because it can only be availed by a person accused of an offense not punishable by death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.

The CA also dismissed Colanggo's plea to reopen his case and admit additional evidence for lack of merit. —ALG/KBK, GMA News