Manila, Philippines – Saying their apology was made in good faith, the Sandiganbayan has cleared former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and ex-Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio of culpability in the contempt case that stemmed from the controversial Plea Bargaining Agreement (PBA) of former Armed Force comptroller retired Major General Carlos F. Garcia.
The anti-graft court’s Special Second Division ruled against the petition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that sought to charge the respondents of indirect contempt for misleading President Benigno S. Aquino III about the status of the PBA.
Marcelo and Villa-Ignacio admitted their mistakes and apologized to the court last March 4. They also made a public apology before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the House Committee on Justice. (Shianee R. Mamanglu)