MANILA -- The Sandiganbayan has allowed a former police official allegedly involved in the rubber boat scam to travel to Qatar despite objections of the prosecution panel.
In a resolution dated Jan. 7, 2019, the anti-graft court's 7th Division granted the motion of former Philippine National Police (PNP) director Luizo Ticman to travel abroad from January 19 to 27, 2019 subject to some conditions.
Ticman’s itinerary, the court said, shall only be in Qatar and he shall leave not earlier than Jan. 17, 2019 and shall be back in the Philippines not later than Jan. 27, 2019.
He is a co-accused of former PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa over the alleged anomalous purchase of PHP131.5-million worth of 75 rubber boats in 2009.
Apart from Versoza and Ticman, also charged with violation of Republic Act 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, were former PNP Deputy Director General and now Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano, former police Directors Ronald Roderos and Romeo Hilomen, former Chief Supts. Herold Ubalde and Villamor Bumanglag, and former Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino Jr.
In his motion, Ticman told the anti-graft court that while in Qatar, he will be staying at Doubletree by Hilton Doha, CL Al Meena St., Doha. (PNA)
