Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. asks court nod for 25-day trip

MANILA, Philippines — Davao del Norte second district Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to go on a personal trip abroad for 25 days despite his pending graft case.  

In a motion filed on Oct. 8 before the anti-graft court’s sixth division, Floirendo said he would go to Hong Kong, Tokyo and San Francisco from Oct. 17 to Nov. 10, which coincides with the one month recess of Congress.

He said the recess is the best time for him to travel abroad as he would be “deeply involved” when the campaign period for  next year’s elections starts.

Floirendo filed his certificate of candidacy on Thursday under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a political party recently founded by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. He is seeking reelection.

Floirendo maintained that he is not a flight risk as proven by his timely return to the country during his previous trips abroad.

He attached a travel clearance signed by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Floirendo is facing graft charges in connection with his alleged illegal financial interests at the Tagum Agricultural Development Co. (Tadeco), a banana plantation doing business with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Tadeco entered into a joint venture agreement with the BuCor in 1969 which allowed the firm to lease 3,000 hectares of land in the Davao Penal Colony for its banana plantation.

Graft probers said Floirendo still owns shares of stocks at Tadeco even though he is no longer a board member.