MANILA -- The plunder case filed against former Bureau of Immigration (BI) Deputy Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, and retired police officer Wally Sombero over the alleged PHP50-million bribery scandal at the bureau was re-raffled to the Sandiganbayan 6th Division on Friday.
The re-raffling was conducted following the approval by the Sandiganbayan en banc of the recusal of Sandiganbayan 4th Division head Associate Justice Alex Quiroz, who inhibited himself from the case, because he is an “acquaintance” of one of the three accused.
The three accused are also facing one count each of graft, direct bribery and violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, which penalizes public officials for receiving gifts from private individuals.
Meanwhile, Chinese casino magnate Jack Lam is facing one count of violation of PD 46.
Their cases will be handled by Sandiganbayan 6th Division Chairperson Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez and Associate Justice Karl Miranda.
The case against Argosino and Robles arose from the PHP50-million alleged bribe they received from Sombero, who reportedly acted as "middleman" of Lam, in exchange for the release of 1,316 illegal Chinese workers at Lam's Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga in 2016.
The Office of the Ombudsman contradicted the findings of the Department of Justice that Argosino and Robles are only liable for graft since the recovered money was PHP1,000 short of a plunder case.
The Ombudsman argued that the two former BI officials are still liable under the plunder law since investigations have shown that they took possession of five bags containing a total amount of PHP50 million. (PNA)
