Convicted ex-Calauan mayor’s assets seized

MANILA, Philippines — The government has completed the recovery of the ill-gotten wealth of convicted rapist and former Calauan mayor Antonio Sanchez. 

Copies of the titles of 19 parcels of land owned by Sanchez and his wife Editha, now registered under the name of the state, were received by the Office of the Ombudsman last March 1, the agency announced yesterday. 

In a decision in July 2016, the Sandiganbayan ordered the forfeiture of Sanchez’s properties, including a residential building, two Mercedez Benzes, a 1991 Dodge Caravan, shares in a lending business as well as cash and bank accounts.

Sanchez and his wife declared an income of P855,073.88 based on their joint tax returns from 1986 to 1992.

Sanchez had a salary of P17,724 per month when he was mayor in 1980 and 1981, P26,388 from 1981 to 1986, and P10,443 from 1988 when Calauan was downgraded to a fifth class municipality. 

The Sandiganbayan said the tax declaration and income of the couple were “grossly disproportionate” to their lavish lifestyle.

Graft probers said the couple sent their three children to Hurtwood House, an exclusive school in London with a tuition of P1 million each; had frequent trips to the United States, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Hong Kong; hosted a lavish birthday party for 550 guests at Manila Hotel, and owned several properties, including luxury vehicles.

“Respondents’ assets and expenses were grossly and manifestly disproportionate to their legitimate income… These assets and the funds used for the disproportionate expenses were unlawfully acquired… and subject to forfeiture,” the Sandiganbayan ruling read.

The court said the resolution of the case was delayed due to attempts to arrive at an amicable settlement and the “extraordinary number of postponements sought by respondents because of their revolving door of lawyers.”

The Sandiganbayan said the couple’s attempts at compromise were later found to be “hollow and insincere” and aimed only at stopping the trial of the case.

Sanchez was sentenced to seven life terms in 1995 for the rape-slay of UP-Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of her boyfriend Allan Gomez in 1993.

Editha was once a mayor of Calauan while her son Juan Allan is the incumbent vice mayor.