Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Surigao del Norte Rep. Philip Pichay, among others, were charged with multiple counts of malversation, graft and violation of banking laws before the Sandiganbayan on Thursday.

The Ombudsman filed the charges in connection with the sale of the Gatchalian family-owened Express Savings Bank Inc. (ESBI) to the state-run Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) seven years ago.

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