SC dismisses Justice Ong over links with Napoles

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered the dismissal of Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Gregory Ong for "gross misconduct, dishonesty and impropriety."

Ong, who was linked with suspect pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, was accused of "serious transgressions" when he acquitted her in 2010 of criminal charges from anomalies in the government purchase of 500 Kevlar helmets for the Marines.

Voting 8-5, with Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta and Teresita Leonardo-De Castro inhibiting, the high court said that Ong's dismissal should be executed immediately.

(2/2) Dismissal of AJ Ong is immediately executory;retirement benefits, except accrued leave, are forfeited and is barred from gov’t work.

— SC PIO (Official) (@SCPh_PIO) September 23, 2014

Ong's retirement benefits, except accrued leaves, are forfeited and he is barred from entering government service as part of the administrative decision.

The SC found that Ong inappropriately met with Napoles after her acquittal, which came prior to the ongoing plunder cases against her for embezzling billions in senators' Priority Development Assistance Funds through dummy organizations.

Ong, who served as chair of the Fourth Division, was the highest paid magistrate of the anti-graft court in 2013, receiving a total annual income of P2.725 million.

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