NBI arrests former PCGG chair Sabio for graft

MANILA, Philippines — In a wheelchair, former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chief Camilo Sabio has his mugshot taken follwing his arrest.

Sabio was arrested for graft at his home in Quezon City last Friday.

Armed with a warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division, the National Bureau of Investigation-Technical Intelligence Division swooped down on Sabio’s residence at around 2 p.m. on Friday.

The Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division found Sabio guilty of graft and sentenced him to six years in prison in November 2019 after he tried to pressure his brother, former Court of Appeals associate justice Jose Sabio Jr., into ruling in favor of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in 2008.

Court records indicate GSIS trustee Jesus Santos asked the former PCGG chief for help with the case filed against the agency by the Manila Electric Co. The Sandiganbayan said Sabio’s brother refused to bow to pressure, saving him from a longer sentence.

“Arrest the person of Camilo L. Sabio who may be found at 48-B Biak na Bato street, Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City and bring him before this Court to be dealt with as the law and Rules of Court direct,” read a part of the warrant issued in relation to the execution of judgment in a criminal case.

After Sabio was booked, he was brought to the Sandiganbayan in the afternoon but was taken back to the NBI head office along Taft Avenue as the anti-graft court was temporarily closed for disinfection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

He will be presented before the court today.

Sabio, 83, chaired the PCGG from 2005 up to 2010. He has a number of graft charges pending before the Sandiganbayan for alleged violations to the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act committed during his stint.

In June 2017, he was found guilty of two counts of graft by the Sandiganbayan First Division and sentenced to suffer 12 to 20 years of imprisonment for anomalous lease of vehicles in 2007 and 2009.

In September 2017, the NBI arrested Sabio over charges of graft, malversation of funds and corrupt practices.

Sabio previously held the position of secretary-general in the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1998 under then Speaker Jose de Venecia.