Finally, justice

The Sandiganbayan 6th Division has convicted two former Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and a retired police officer for extorting money from Jack Lam, the operator of Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Pampanga last 2016. Former BI commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles and Wally Sombero, a former policeman, were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or the equivalent of 40 years in prison. This punishment replaced the death penalty which was abolished in 2006. Sombero served as the middleman between Lam and the two officials. Fifty million pesos was the amount involved, automatically becoming a case of plunder. The amount was supposedly paid for the release of 1,316 Chinese nationals who were caught illegally working in the casino. Both Argosino and Robles were caught on CCTV receiving the money from Sombero. Two million was Sombero's commission for the transaction. President Duterte's term had just begun when this controversy was exposed.

The two officers stated they only kept the money to be used as evidence against Lam. But the Sandiganbayan did not buy their explanation leading to their conviction. They are both known fraternity brothers of President Duterte in the Lex Talionis Fraternity at San Beda Law. The controversy is said to be the reason why former DOJ Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre resigned from office. He was given another position by Duterte this year.

This is not Argosino’s first controversy. He was involved in the hazing death of Raul Camaligan in 1991. Argosino and others were convicted but at the time the punishment seemed light for the crime. Argosino then promised the Supreme Court he would put up a scholarship foundation in the name of Raul Camaligan if he were allowed to take his oath as a lawyer after passing the Bar exams. But nothing has happened with that promise. The San Beda Alumni College has no record of such a foundation in the name of Camaligan in 2016 when Argosino was embroiled in the controversy. The past does catch up with you. Argosino seems to have fooled the high court to become a lawyer. Ironic. Perhaps for Raul Camaligan's family, this development involving Argosino and his imprisonment is the justice they have been waiting for for so long. I know it will not bring back their loved one who was killed for nothing but I hope it brings some form of comfort and closure with the knowledge Argosino will no longer be involved in any wrongdoing.