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ANOTHER “breather” was given by the Sandiganbayan
to former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, as the court’s Third
Division on Wednesday reset the arraignment of the former justice
secretary for charges of falsification of public documents.
The case of Perez before the
Third Division is being handled by Justices Francisco Villaruz,
Efren dela Cruz and Norberto Geraldez. This is the third time that
Perez’s arraignment was reset.
During the hearing on Wednesday,
the court allowed the motion of the Perez camp to defer the
arraignment in view of the pending motion to quash filed by the camp
of the former justice chief.
“Considering the pendency of
the motion to quash the court, the arraignment of the accused shall
be deferred and reset on June 30,” according to Villaruz.
The motion to quash of Perez,
asking for the dismissal of the case, has already been submitted for
resolution by the Sandiganbayan, which determines if Perez shall be
tried or not.
Perez anchored his motion in view
of the arguments that the crime charged against him does not
constitute an offense, and for lack of jurisdiction of the court.
He alone was charged with
falsification of public documents for nondisclosure in his 2001
statement of assets, liabilities and net worth of the $1.7 million
deposited in his and his wife’s bank accounts.
In the findings of the Ombudsman,
Perez acted in conspiracy with his brother-in-law Ramon Arceo,
business associate Ernest Escaler and his wife Rosario, in taking
advantage of his position as justice secretary to demand from former
Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez $2 million in connection with the execution
of affidavits to be used against the cronies of former
President Joseph Estrada.
--Jomar Canlas
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