'Hanging Judge' with Mercy

Retired Justice Manuel Pamaran says it’s not the fault of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez that the case build up of plunder against former Army comptroller Gen. Carlos Garcia was “very weak and incomplete.”

Pamaran, the original “Hanging Judge” who has sent numerous criminals to the gallows, pointed out that it was the team of Gutierrez’s predecessor who spearheaded the filing of the incomplete and deficient information against Garcia without the allegations having been validated thereof. The retired justice also noted that the case was referred to the Office of the Ombudsman in Sept. 2004, but Gutierrez only assumed office on Dec. 5, 2005.

Pamaran also criticized the information originally filed by the 2004 team as “so worded in generalities,” adding that the Resolutions which paved the way for the filing of the plunder charges against Garcia “did not provide any discussion on the specific acts of the accused that would qualify as unjustly enriching himself at the expense and to the damage of the Filipino people.”

The former RTC judge also lamented the original prosecution team’s “failure” to gather the much needed documentary and testimonial evidence to sustain the charge of plunder against Garcia, adding that the available testimony gathered failed to prove how certain unknown persons could have conspired with Garcia and his family members to amass ill-gotten wealth as alleged in the information filed by the original team. And although the present Ombudsman would want to gather as much evidence (as) it can in order to prove other overt or criminal acts committed by Garcia, it cannot do so since it is bound to prove only the two overt acts stated in the information.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and her team of Special Prosecutors have been under fire for entering into a plea bargaining agreement with the former Army comptroller, with accusations being thrown left and right about the agreement, with some even calling it “immoral.” Pamaran however insisted that Garcia would have been acquitted of plunder had the case continued and worse, not a single centavo of Garcia’s alleged ill-gotten wealth would have reverted to government coffers if not for the plea bargain since the evidence was “not good enough to prove beyond reasonable doubt” that Garcia’s properties were linked to the overt or criminal acts alleged in the information filed against the former Army official. In short, Pamaran stressed, “evidence was sorely missing on how Garcia could have taken advantage of his official position... connection or influence to be able to amass, accumulate and acquire such ill-gotten wealth.” 

Those who know Justice Pamaran say that if there’s anything clear about the “hanging judge,” he will call a spade a spade, even with such a controversial issue like the Garcia plea bargain case because as Pamaran says, “I’ve been around long enough to see when the evidence is strong to hang a man or not.”

Makati real estate prices going through the roof

Lots and houses in plush subdivisions like North and South Forbes including Dasmariñas Village are being gobbled up like cookies, with prices ranging from P120,000 per square meter for old houses and as much as P200,000 per square meter for new ones. Ridiculous, some might say, but these prices are being driven up by the “new rich” wealthy Chinese businessmen who say they, too, have as much right to live in those plush subdivisions as the “old rich” (but now considerably less wealthy) people. A Chinese real estate broker says many young businessmen see living in one of the plush villages as a sign that “they have arrived.”

Aside from the villages, even the share price for Manila Golf has soared to P28-P30 million per share - that is, if there’s anyone selling. The possibility that a 45-story condominium will soon be built inside the course exclusively for members of the Club at a special membership price of P11 million for a 300-square meter unit, they say, is almost a done deal.

Odd couple in the market

What do two retired, senior businessmen do on a Saturday morning? They go to the market – just like “tocayos” Tony Gonzalez and Tony Garcia who were both seen last Saturday buying vegetables at the Salcedo market, looking very much like the odd couple as they went around from stall to stall.

 Before SM tycoon Henry “Tatang” Sy became wheelchair bound, he would go to the Seafood Market on Roxas Blvd. early on Saturday mornings to pick his own fresh seafood. Take note – even the super rich want to get the best buy for their money.

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