Sandiganbayan allows Floirendo's HK trip

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has allowed Davao Del Norte Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. to travel to Hong Kong with his family from December 27, 2018 to January 2, 2019.

His motion for leave to travel was promulgated on December 17, and the anti-graft court allowed him to go provided that he maintain his

R60,000 travel bond.

Floirendo said in his motion that he wishes to spend the Christmas season in Hong Kong "for a needed respite and rest from his legislative duties."

He will take a flight with Cathay Pacific Airlines on December 27 at 11 a.m. and return on January 2 at 5:20 p.m. He and his family will be staying at the Mandarin Oriental in Central, Hong Kong.

"As the Honorable Court would appreciate, the probability of accused fleeing our judicial process is practically nonexistent with his previous travels where he has repeatedly returned," his motion read.

"Accused makes this motion in good faith and for personal purposes. In fact, the records of this case will show that the accused has promptly complied with all the conditions set by this Honorable Court in connection with his previous travels abroad," it added.

Floirendo has been charged with a violation of Section 3(h) of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act due to his involvement in the joint venture agreement between the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO) back in 2003.

As the 2nd District of Davao del Norte representative from 2001 to 2004, Floirendo owned most of TADECO's shares of stocks. He had 75,000 shares of TADECO, or equivalent to 89 percent of its outstanding capital stock at the time of the 2003 agreement.