Ex-PNP execs in P358-M tank deal seek bail

MANILA, Philippines - Former officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), charged in connection with an anomalous P358-million contract for the repair of light armored vehicles, have filed a petition asking the anti-graft court to immediately resolve their application for bail.

In a motion filed before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division, former PNP chief Avelino Razon Jr. and retired PNP directors Geary Barias and Eliseo dela Paz are also asking the court to “fix the amount of bail for their temporary liberty pursuant to the declaration of the Fifth Division that malversation through falsification of public documents is a bailable offense.”

The three retired PNP officials, all currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame, were charged with malversation through falsification of public documents under Article 217 in relation to Article 171 (Paragraph 4) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in the anomalous maintenance and repair of light armored vehicles worth P358.48 million in 2007.

Their Lawyers said the former PNP officials have been languishing in jail for two years now from the time they surrendered and sought bail from the anti-graft court.

“They painstakingly awaited for the timely resolution of their application for bail which remains to be acted upon,” the motion read.

Given that the 90-day period of the court to resolve their petitions has lapsed, the defense counsels said their clients “are miserably suffering from the delay in the resolution of their application for bail.”

“Any single day of delay thereof is necessarily a denial of their right to speedy disposition of their case and to due process,” the motion read.