24 May 2006 -- The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division on 22 May acquitted retired Major Gen. Carlos F. Garcia of perjury. The Ombudsman had charged Garcia with misdeclaring his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Norberto Geraldez, the court ruled that “the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Garcia had committed the crime.” The court found no proof that he had knowledge of a false entry in his SALN and that he deliberately asserted the falsehood.

The Ombudsman had alleged that the increases in Garcia’s SALN from 1993-2003 were disproportionate to his legitimate income. Garcia was charged for not declaring in his SALN several vehicles a Toyota Previa, a Mitsubishi L-300, and a Honda Civicwith a total estimated cost of P1.5 million.

The court also lifted the hold-departure order on Garcia and the bail he filed was canceled and returned to him. However, Garcia is still facing plunder charges in connection with P303 million of unexplained wealth allegedly acquired by taking advantage of his position as military comptroller and two cases of forfeiture involving P143 million and P202 million in assets of the general and his family.

< Back to Graft Busters main page