Antonio Floirendo Jr. seeks court nod for another Hong Kong trip

MANILA, Philippines — Davao del Norte second district Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to travel to Hong Kong again despite his pending graft case.

In a motion filed before the anti-graft court’s sixth division, Floirendo said he would go to Hong Kong from March 20 to 24 to “take a respite” from campaigning for national candidates and rest before he starts his campaign for his reelection bid.

Floirendo is running against Davao del Norte Vice Gov. Alan Dujali, an ally of former speaker and Davao Del Norte first district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

Floirendo said he is not a flight risk, citing his timely return to the country from his previous foreign trips.

It was only last month when the Sandiganbayan allowed Floirendo to go to Hong Kong for five days also for a personal trip.  He also went on a holiday in Hong Kong from Dec. 27, 2018 to Jan. 2.

A hold departure order was issued against Floirendo in connection with his alleged holding of 75,000 shares of stocks in Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc., a banana plantation doing business with the Bureau of Corrections.

Floirendo was indicted for violation of Section 3 (h) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits government officials from directly or indirectly having financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or any law from having any interest.