107 lawmakers back Dimaporo’s petition for bail

MANILA, Philippines - Some 107 lawmakers have signed a resolution supporting the petition for bail of Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo, who is facing malversation and graft cases before the Sandiganbayan.

Dimaporo is detained at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center after the anti-graft court ordered his arrest in connection with his alleged misuse of P5 million in public funds.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez filed the resolution stating that Dimaporo  is not a flight risk.

“Representative Dimaporo is known for his integrity, loyalty to public service, and sincerity in the duties of representing the congressional district of which he represents,” read the resolution.

The resolution said the evidence against Dimaporo was not strong and that keeping him in jail while the criminal charge is pending will deprive his constituents at the second district of Lanao del Norte their right to representation.

“The sense of the 16th Congress shall in no way be interpreted as undue interference or pressure upon the Sandiganbayan in the proper disposition of the case against Representative Dimaporo in accordance with the facts that would be established by evidence and the appropriate laws applicable,” read the resolution.

In a statement, Lanao del Norte Rep. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo thanked her colleagues for supporting the bail petition of her husband.

Among those who signed the resolution were House Deputy Speakers Giorgidi Aggabao, Carlos Padilla, Sergio Apostol;  Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, House committee on justice chairman; Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora; Deputy Majority Leader Lucy Torres-Gomez; and Representatives Elpidio Barzaga of Cavite, Baisandra Sema of Maguindanao, Tupay Loong of Sulu, Ann Hofer of Zamboanga Sibugay, Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur, and Vicente Belmonte of Iligan City.