By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang and former Sultan Kudarat Rep. Arnulfo Go, along with two other individuals, after finding probable cause to proceed with separate criminal cases involving alleged corruption.
In a resolution issued Monday, the anti-graft court’s Third Division directed the arrest of Ang, Go, Allan Gayosa Bayani, and Mario Abasolo Labrador. The court likewise issued hold departure orders barring all four accused from leaving the country while their cases are pending.
Ang is facing charges for allegedly violating Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
State prosecutors previously filed 14 counts of graft against the lawmaker, alleging that while serving as a member of the House of Representatives, he maintained financial interests in a construction company that secured approximately ₱214 million worth of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts. Prosecutors further alleged that the firm received nearly ₱199 million in government payments.
Ang has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
His name also surfaced in the alleged payoff ledger disclosed by jailed contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, who claimed several lawmakers sought money after contractors won government infrastructure projects. Ang earlier rejected the allegation.
Meanwhile, former Rep. Go, together with Bayani and Labrador, was indicted on charges of malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code. The charges stem from an information filed by state prosecutors in November last year.
The Sandiganbayan ruled that the evidence presented during the preliminary proceedings was sufficient to establish probable cause, warranting the issuance of arrest warrants against all four accused.
The issuance of the warrants marks the beginning of formal court proceedings but does not constitute a finding of guilt. Under Philippine law, all accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt after trial.
ia/xf
