Former PCGG chairman arrested for graft

MANILA, Philippines — Former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chairman Camilo Sabio was arrested yesterday by the National Bureau of Investigation for charges of graft, malversation of funds and corrupt practices filed with the Sandiganbayan.

The cases are pending with the Sandiganbayan’s 4th and 5th Divisions.

The 82-year old Sabio said his arrest was a surprise as he had not been subpoenaed or given prior notification. He was booked at the NBI headquarters in Manila.

“I did not know about this case. Baka nakalimutan nila (Maybe they forgot),” he told reporters.

“I am confident that I can be freed. My record has always been clean,” he said.

The NBI said the arrest was based on a warrant and that it did not have a copy of the case against the former PCGG chief. Sabio will remain at the NBI until he can post P80,000 bail at the Sandiganbayan, an ABS-CBN report said.

The Sandiganbayan convicted Sabio and sentenced him to 12 to 20 years in prison in June in a separate case.

The case was in connection with alleged anomalous lease of vehicles in 2007 and 2009.

Sabio and four others were charged with graft by Office of the Ombudsman in 2011 for supposedly failing to hold a bidding process for the contracts.