Jimenez revs up for exposés

MANILA, Philippines - Former Manila congressman Mark Jimenez is about to make a series of exposés, starting with his testimony in a falsification of documents case against former justice secretary Hernando Perez, his lawyer said yesterday.

Accompanied by lawyer Harry Roque, he made a surprise visit at the Sandiganbayan yesterday morning to discuss his testimony with Ombudsman prosecutors for about an hour.

“According to him, this will be the beginning of many exposes that he will be providing the nation,” Roque told The STAR in an interview after Jimenez met with government lawyers.

“This is the first time that he agreed to give his testimony. His appearance is only the beginning,” he added, stressing that the former congressman is planning to expose a lot of anomalies.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Jesus Micael said Jimenez came to discuss his upcoming testimony before the Sandiganbayan’s third division.

Perez, accused of extorting $2 million from Jimenez in 2001, is being tried for not declaring the money in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth. The money was allegedly deposited in a Coutts Bank account in Hong Kong.

Roque said Jimenez will testify on Nov. 15 and finally reveal what it was that Perez allegedly wanted in extorting money from him.

He added that the graft case against Perez was dismissed by the Sandiganbayan but the ruling is being appealed before the Supreme Court.