Journalist seeks to testify on alleged parole violations of Atong Ang
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/23/2008 11:45 PM
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Print journalist and activist Ligorio 'Toting' Naval has volunteered to testify before the Sandiganbayan Special Division to support his earlier allegation that probationer Charlie 'Atong' Ang violated conditions of his probation.
Naval has accused Ang, a former gaming consultant during the Estrada administration, of renewing his involvement in illegal gambling and of name-dropping President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to scare off police officials who are reportedly attempting to extort money from his operations.
He said these acts constitute 'serious misbehavior' that warrant revocation of Ang's probation and reimposition of his six-year jail term for the crime of corruption of public officials in relation to indirect bribery.
"Undersigned is… willing to submit himself for examination of the Honorable Court in order to save the highest interest of justice," Naval said in his single-page manifestation dated November 17, 2008.
Ang was originally charged as Estrada's co-accused in plunder but he struck a plea bargaining agreement with the prosecution by pleading guilty to the lesser offense and returning the P25 million he admitted to have skimmed from the P130 million tobacco excise tax funds he and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis 'Chavit' Singson diverted from the province's allocations.
Instead of facing prosecution for plunder which carries penalties of life imprisonment and confiscation of properties, Ang was placed under two-year probation and warned against 'engaging in any form of gambling activities' and from 'association with persons of questionable character.'
Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio has announced in open court that the government will not oppose revocation of Ang's probation if evidence of Naval's allegations is produced.
Ceres P. Añonuevo, chief of the Quezon City Parole and Probation Office (QC-PPO) No. 2, however submitted a report to the graft court last October 10 saying there was no basis to Naval's claims Ang.
At the same time, Añonuevo said investigations by her office showed that it is Naval who is facing a criminal case of libel before the Cavite Regional Trial Court. However, it was not clear if the case is still active since it was filed way back in 1987.
Naval countered that the probation office is merely covering up for Ang when it dismissed his allegations as mere hearsay.
"The probation officer… committed not only perjurious acts but also provided undue advantage to convict-on-probation Charlie 'Atong' Ang which is punishable under the Revised Penal Code and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act," he said.
