Lawyer of former Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos are urging the former budget official to go back to the Philippines and face charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, according to one of his counsels.

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Lawyer Alfredo Cabeza, who made a special appearance as lawyer for Relampagos at the Sandiganbayan 1st Division, said that his colleagues are in touch with Relampagos who is currently in the United States.

The court has ordered Cabeza and the main counsels of Relampagos to comment on the manifestation of government prosecutors to declare Relampagos a “fugitive from justice” and to cancel his passport.

“As far as I know they are convincing him to return to the Philippines but I don’t know yet his reaction to that move of his lawyers,” Cabeza said.

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Aside from the proceedings at the 1st Division, the 7th Division has already declared Relampagos a “fugitive” and has told the prosecution to initiate extradition proceedings.

Asked about the possibility of Relampagos being deported back to the Philippines, Cabeza agreed that it is highly possible.

“If those are the consequences then we will face them,” he said.

Relampagos is currently facing more than 300 counts of graft and has told the Sandiganbayan through his lawyers that he can no longer bear “psychologically and emotionally” the court proceedings.

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Relampagos was implicated in the PDAF scam after being mentioned by whistleblowers Benhur Luy and Merlina Sunas as their “contact” in the DBM.