Ex-Camarines Norte gov to be transferred to Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines - Former Camarines Norte governor Casimiro “Roy” Padilla Jr. has been ordered incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

The Sandiganbayan yesterday issued a commitment order directing the Bureau of Corrections to keep Padilla at the NBP.

Padilla, elder brother of action star Robin Padilla, was arrested on Friday based on a warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan First Division, which convicted him for failing to return a government-issued gun. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

“The time of imprisonment will commence on March 21,” the order signed by Associate Justice Reynaldo Cruz stated. 

The court said Padilla’s appeal with the Supreme Court was denied in a resolution dated Sept. 2, 2013 and became final and executory on April 29, 2014.

Meanwhile, Padilla asked the anti-graft court to allow his detention at the  Camarines Norte provincial jail.

In a three–page motion, Padilla’s lawyers said those sentenced to a maximum of three years imprisonment or a fine of not more than P1,000 shall be considered only a provincial prisoner.

“Since the crime was committed in the province of Camarines Norte, he (should) serve his sentence in the provincial jail,” the motion added.