Ombudsman wants Nani Perez’s $2-M properties seized

MANILA, Philippines - Former justice secretary Hernando Perez faces seizure of his properties amounting to $2 million.

The Office of the Ombudsman has asked the Sandiganbayan to order the properties seized, as well as those of his wife Rosario, brother-in-law Ramon Arceo Jr. and business associate Ernest Escaler.

In the petition, the anti-graft agency said the government has the right to seize properties of a government official acquired while he was in office, especially when he figured in a questionable transaction.

“The Office of the Ombudsman after conducting an inquiry similar to a preliminary investigation in criminal cases, has determined that a prima facie case exists against the respondents Hernando B. Perez, Rosario S. Perez, Ernest DL Escaler, (and) Ramon Antonio C. Arceo Jr., for acquiring an amount of money and/or property manifestly out of proportion to the salary of respondent Hernando B. Perez as public officer, and to his other lawful income,” read the petition.

The petition said court records show that Perez and Escaler threatened former lawmaker Mark Jimenez and forced him to pay $2 million so he would not be used as witness against ousted President Joseph Estrada, and that the money was sourced from the Trade and Commerce Bank in the Cayman Islands and transferred to Coutts Bank in Hong Kong in February of 2001.

“After the $2-million payoff, respondent Hernando Perez left Jimenez in peace and discontinued his demands for Jimenez to execute affidavits against his ‘targets’,” read the petition.

A paper trail will prove that the $2 million was transferred to the accounts of Perez and Escaler, the anti-graft agency said.

The anti-graft court was asked to issue a writ of preliminary attachment/garnishment on the properties amounting to $2 million if the ruling would be in the favor of the government.