The Court of Appeals has reversed the 2013 ruling of the Office of the President that ordered the dismissal of Ombudsman Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras-Sulit in connection with the plea bargaining agreement she signed with former Armed Forces comptroller Major Gen. Carlos Garcia who was charged with plunder and money laundering.
In a decision written by Associate Justice Zenaida T. Galapate-Laguilles, the CA granted the petition of Barreras-Sulit as it ruled that the OP during the time of former President Aquino committed an error in ruling against her in an administrative case.
The CA ordered the reinstatement of Barreras-Sulit to her post. “We Grant the instant petition for review. The decision dated July 18, 2013 and Resolution dated Dec. 6, 2013 of the Office of the President dismissing Petitioner Wendell Barreras Sulit from the service are hereby Reversed and Set Aside,” the CA ruled.
Garcia was charged with plunder by the Ombudsman in connection with the millions of pesos and valuable properties registered in his name and those of the members of his family. (Rey G. Panaligan)