Press Release
July 4, 2013

STATEMENT OF SENATOR TG GUINGONA ON THE SC's TRO
 AGAINST PLEA BARGAINING AGREEMENT OF
MAJ. GEN. CARLOS GARCIA & OMBUDSMAN

I commend the Supreme Court for taking the first significant step in rectifying the grave irregularities committed by former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

The Supreme Court's temporary restraining order (TRO) issued against the plea bargaining agreement (PBA) between Major General Carlos Garcia and the Office of the Ombudsman is an affirmation of the findings of the Blue Ribbon Committee.

As Chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee, I stand by our findings that a betrayal of public trust was committed when the plea bargain deal was entered into. The PBA has no evidentiary basis, there was lack of full restitution in favor of the government and there was lack of consent of the offended party.

A PBA is not for the convenience of the accused but for the paramount public interest of justice. I trust that the PBA will ultimately be nullified, and I am confident that transparency, accountability and good governance will prevail.

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