PCGG, GSIS to forfeit Sabio's retirement benefits

MANILA, Philippines - The Presidential Commission on Good Government will coordinate with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) over the forfeiture of the retirement benefits of PCGG chairman Camilo Sabio.

Gerard Mosquera, PCGG commissioner-in-charge for litigation, said they have written the GSIS in connection with the order of the Office of the Ombudsman regarding Sabio’s case.

The anti-graft body found Sabio guilty of grave misconduct for trying to influence his younger brother – Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Jose Sabio Jr. – in the case between Meralco and GSIS in 2008.

In a 12-page decision, Ombudsman graft investigation and prosecution officer Darius Sagadal ordered the cancellation of Sabio’s civil service eligibility, forfeiture of his retirement benefits and his perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

“In the present case, we find that Chairman Sabio’s attempt to influence his brother under the guise of impressing upon him the character and essence of the controversy, which was pending before his division, amounted to a flagrant disregard of well-known legal and more importantly, ethical rules,” Sagadal’s decision stated.

“Such actuations unduly prejudiced and compromised the image and independence of the judiciary and government service in general, making it appear that Chairman Sabio could sway, manipulate or control members of the appellate court in the resolution of cases pending before them,” it added.

Sagadal said the former PCGG chief admitted that he called his younger brother and talked to him about the case. Sabio also informed his brother that the case has been raffled to a CA division of which the latter was a member.

Sabio told a panel of investigators formed by the Supreme Court that he made the call to his brother after he was asked by then GSIS board trustee Jesus Santos, a lawyer of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, to help the GSIS.

The younger Sabio also admitted to having been called by the PCGG chief and tried to convince him to decide in favor of the government.

The Supreme Court had recommended the filing of a disbarment case against Sabio upon discovery of his role in the Meralco-GSIS case. 

Sabio did not resign despite calls for him to do so. He went on leave in 2008.

The CA bribery scandal erupted when Sabio’s younger brother accused Associate Justice Vicente Roxas of trying to grab the Meralco-GSIS case from him. The younger Sabio also claimed that a businessman tried to bribe him with P10 million to rule in favor of Meralco.

The squabble between Meralco and GSIS arose when former GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia tried to unseat the Lopez family from the Meralco board, accusing them of “mischievous management.” GSIS had a considerable stake in Meralco at that time.