Brillante found guilty of indirect contempt

Former Makati vice mayor Roberto Brillante, a political rival of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, was convicted yesterday by the Sandiganbayan’s third division of “indirect contempt of court” and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

Brillante was also ordered to pay P30,000 penalty and meted subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.

He posted a P10,000 cash bond  for his temporary liberty late yesterday afternoon.

Brillante’s case stemmed from his allegation that Sandiganbayan Third Division Associate Justices Godofredo Legaspi, Efren de la Cruz and Norberto Geraldez accepted P10 million each in exchange for dismissing the graft case the Office of the Ombudsman filed against Binay.

Brillante made his accusations during a press conference on Nov. 3 last year. Among the reporters who attended the event was The STAR’s Michael Punongbayan, who testified before the Sandiganbayan along with five other reporters from different news agencies. They confirmed that Brillante indeed accused the justices of receiving bribes.

Brillante had denied making the allegation, claiming that the media sensationalized his statements.

The reporters’ “testimonies were concise, candid, straightforward, firm and unshaken by rigid cross examination. There was also no showing that they were actuated by any ill or improper motive to testify falsely against Brillante. Given such circumstances, their testimony must be given full faith and credit,” the Sandiganbayan’s third division said in its decision.

The anti-graft court justices said Brillante’s statements were not protected by freedom of speech.

While waiting to post bail, Brillante said he expected the decision.

“They are the accusers, they are the judges and they are the jury,” he said, referring to the justices. “I expect no mercy from them.

Brillante said he told his lawyer to elevate the case to the Supreme Court because he has lost his trust in the Sandiganbayan.

He advised the anti-graft crusaders not to lose hope due to his conviction, but instead to continue their crusade.

“The road is difficult, but justice will prevail,” Brillante said, adding that he is confident the Supreme Court will rule in his favor.     – Sandy Araneta