Ex-PCGG chair Sabio seeks reduction of P120k bail bond in graft case

Convicted former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chair Camilo Sabio has appealed to the Sandiganbayan to reduce the P120,000 bail bond required for his provisional liberty. He had earlier paid half of the amount.

In an 11-page motion submitted to the First Division, Sabio said he lacked the "financial capability at the moment" to produce the remaining half of the bail required by the anti-graft court.

He added that he was also in the "process of selling his land for which he would be able to come up with the remaining amount" of P60,000 fixed by the Sandiganbayan.

Sabio paid P60,000 last April 10, 2011 when he voluntarily submitted himself to the custody of the Sandiganbayan.

Last week, Sabio was found guilty of two counts of graft over the PCGG's anomalous vehicle lease deals in 2007 and 2009 amounting to P12 million.

Despite his conviction, the anti-graft court, during the promulgation of the decision, said it would allow him to enjoy provisional liberty if he would post a bail bond.

Sabio was sentenced to a jail term of at least 12 to 20 years and slapped with an accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The cases of his co-accused, former PCGG commissioners Tereso Javier, Narciso Nario, and Nicasio Conti, have been dismissed by the Sandiganbayan.

Ricardo Abcede, on the other hand, is already deceased.

Aside from the graft case, Sabio was also charged with three counts of malversation of public funds and one count of failure of accountable officer to render accounts for allegedly embezzling and failing to liquidate cash advances in 2008 and 2009. — MDM, GMA News