'Ligot assets' return fruit of Merci's action'

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday expressed satisfaction over the United States’ turnover to the Philippine government of $132,000 representing the proceeds of the forfeiture sale of the Buena Park property in California owned by former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot.

In a statement, Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus Jr. said it was “the fruit of the prompt action initiated by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.”

“We are happy that the efforts of the Ombudsman, under the watch of Ombudsman Gutierrez, in having this check delivered to the Philippine government have paid off,” De Jesus said.

The property is among the alleged ill-gotten wealth covered by the forfeiture case against the Ligots filed by the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan in 2005.

“When it came to the knowledge of the Office that the property has been sold by the US government, Ombudsman Gutierrez immediately wrote the Department of Justice (DOJ) to request for the return of the proceeds,” De Jesus said.

He said that based on the request, then Justice secretary Agnes Devanadera coordinated with the US government for the return of the proceeds of the sale of the property.

He said the Ombudsman learned of the turnover of the proceeds through a letter sent by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday.

“Justice Secretary de Lima informed the Ombudsman that it was US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. who turned over the check for $132,000, representing the full amount of the forfeiture sale as indicated in the Ombudsman’s request for assistance,” De Jesus said.

He said the Ombudsman had earlier asked the DOJ to help in the return of all or some of the proceeds of the sale of the Buena Park property under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the Philippines and the US.