Congressional inquiry on Garcia’s plea deal sought

QUEZON CITY — A senior lawmaker has called for a congressional inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the plea bargaining agreement between former comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Major General Carlos Garcia, who was facing plunder and money laundering charges, and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez said the Garcia’s plea bargaining agreement is “one of the most outrageous developments in the national campaign against graft and corruption in the Philippines.”

Under the rules of court, a plea bargaining agreement is allowed when the prosecution did not have sufficient evidence to establish the guilt of the accused.

The agreement allowed Garcia to enter guilty pleas for the lesser — and bailable — offenses of direct bribery and violation of Section 4-B of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).

Reports show that on Feb. 25, 2010, Garcia and his lawyer Constantino de Jesus entered into and signed a plea bargaining agreement with Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, Special Prosecutor Wendell Sulit, Deputy Special Prosecutor Robert Kallos, Deputy Special Prosecutor Jesus Micael, Assistant Special Prosecutor Jose Balmeo, and Assistant Special Prosecutor Joseph Capistrano.