MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — In line with the order of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz on Wednesday said that he will file a motion to intervene at the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to prevent former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia from being cleared of plunder charges. "We will intervene at the Sandiganbayan and ask the court to scuttle this illegal deal. We are objecting to this," Cadiz said.
The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Cadiz, likewise, said that the platform of government of President Aquino was against corruption.
"Our duty is to do just that and support the President," he said, adding that the plea bargaining agreement entered into between Garcia and the Office of the Special Prosecutor under the Office of the Ombudsman was flawed because it was made too late in the day.
Under the agreement, Garcia admitted the lesser offense of direct bribery and violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
"The State has strong evidence to prosecute General Garcia," Cadiz said.
Garcia was allowed to post a P60,000 bail and he was released on Dec. 17, 2010.
However, Cadiz said that the plea bargaining agreement between Garcia and the Ombudsman did not speak well of the anti-graft body.
Manila Bulletin
