Aquino’s Sandigan appointee to handle his graft case

The graft and usurpation charges filed against former President Benigno S. Aquino III were raffled off yesterday to the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which is headed by his appointee, Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

Aquino was formally charged with violating Section 3(a) of R.A. 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act as well as Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code before the anti-graft court on Wednesday due to his involvement in the botched “Oplan Exodus,” which led to the deaths of 44 SAF troopers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday, Aquino appeared before the court to post a 140,000 bail for his provisional liberty – 130,000 for graft and 110,000 for usurpation of authority. He was accompanied by his sisters Ballsy, Pinky and Viel, as well as political allies Senators Bam Aquino and Franklin Drilon.

His former presidential spokespersons Abigail Valte and Edwin Lacierda were also present. Meanwhile, several Aquino supporters, all wearing yellow shirts, rallied outside the Sandiganbayan as a show of support.

Aquino missed former Vice President Jejomar Binay and his son, former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, by minutes. The Binays also have a pending case before the Third Division in connection with the reportedly overpriced Makati Parking Hall Building.

They were supposed to be arraigned yesterday, but during the hearing chaired by Cabotaje-Tang, their arraignment was deferred to January 12, 2018 due to “pending incidents.”