Enforce writ on P83 billion coco levy assets, Sandigan urged

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang supports the Sandiganbayan’s recent order to turn over the P83 billion in assets acquired through the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIFF) to the government for the benefit of coconut farmers.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said all there is to do is for the anti-graft court to enforce the writ of execution. 

“There’s a writ of execution, it has to be enforced…The President is for the rule of law; if there’s a writ of execution, then enforce it,” he added.

In a 14-page resolution dated Aug. 7, the Sandiganbayan Second Division reversed its December 2017 ruling setting more hearings on the case to determine the proper disposition of the CIFF assets.

The Sandiganbayan ordered the issuance of partial execution to implement its May 7, 2004 summary judgment, which the Supreme Court (SC) affirmed in a land mark decision dated Jan. 24, 2012.

The SC declared that the CIIF is a “public fund” and the firms created through it, including all their assets, must be conveyed to the government.  

The Second Division of the anti-graft court ordered the six companies to be transferred to the government.

The SC found merit in the motion for reconsideration of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) filed last Jan. 23.

The PCGG said the 2012 ruling has become final and executory after it issued an entry of judgment on Dec. 10, 2014.