Nani to be arraigned on robbery raps today

Former justice secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez and his three co-accused are set to be arraigned on robbery charges before the Sandiganbayan today.

Perez and brother-in-law Ramon Arceo are expected to appear before the anti-graft court’s second division this afternoon to enter their plea.

Ernest Escaler, Perez’s business associate and co-accused in the extortion case, will not be in today’s hearing as he is in Europe for a month-long business trip.

He has already entered a not guilty plea on robbery charges during an earlier arraignment.

It was uncertain whether Perez’s wife, Rosario, would be able to attend the hearing, considering that she has been reportedly undergoing treatment for cancer.

Perez earlier said they would ask physicians attending to his wife to allow her to attend the hearing and submit her plea on the criminal charges.

In the last hearing on the robbery charges, the second division ruled to suspend the arraignment of Perez and his accused after Mrs. Perez failed to appear before the court.

Counsels of the Perezes led by Marcial Balgos have submitted in open court a medical certificate of Mrs. Perez.

However, Justice Edilberto Sandoval said under the Rules of Court, there are only three grounds that can justify suspension of arraignment and none of these applies to any of the cases of the accused.

Conferring with two other members of the second division, Justices Teresita Diaz-Baldos and Samuel Martires, Sandoval ruled that the arraignment of the accused on charges of robbery-extortion should push through.     – Edu Punay