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Sandigan affirms decision allowing testimony of witness in Nani Perez forfeiture case

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Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="The Sandiganbayan building in Quezon City on Feb. 19, 2020 Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/12/26/20200219-sandganbayan-headquarters-jc-1036.jpg"/><figcaption>The Sandiganbayan building in Quezon City on Feb. 19, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Third Division has affirmed its resolution to allow the deposition of witness Lilibeth Pono in Germany in the $2-million forfeiture case of former justice secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez.In the resolution dated Dec. 19, 2022, the court denied the motion for reconsideration filed by respondent Ernest De Leon Escaler, a co-accused of Perez.The court in November allowed the taking of the testimony of Pono, a former consul at the Philippine Embassy in Switzerland who is currently in Germany.The court did not agree with Escaler who argued that Philippine Embassy in Germany consul Gerardo Abiog cannot administer the written testimony of Pono because Abiog is an employee of the petitioner, the Republic of the Philippines.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/10/22/sandigan-oks-testimony-of-ph-consul-in-germany-on-nani-perez-forfeiture-case">Sandiganbayan OKs testimony of PH consul in Germany on Nani Perez forfeiture case</a></li></ul>“After a careful review of the arguments raised by respondent Escaler, the court finds that the issues raised therein have already been passed upon by this court and no substantial arguments were presented to warrant a reversal of the assailed resolution, hence, it is pro forma,” the court said. It also agreed with the petitioner that the motion of Escaler is already a second motion for reconsideration. The forfeiture case against Perez stemmed from his alleged extortion of $2 million from former Manila Sixth District Rep. Mark Jimenez which involved supposed fund transfers to the account of Escaler.“The court likewise agrees that respondent Escaler is now estopped from challenging the propriety of the deposition as well as the authority of Mr. Abiog as deposition officer as he had already sent his cross-interrogatories addressed to Hon. Pono,” the court said. The resolution was penned by Presiding Justice and Division Chairperson Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, with the concurrence of Associate Justices Bernelito Fernandez and Ronald Moreno.The court noted in its November resolution that Pono’s testimony will be on the certificate of authentication of documents material to the case when she was still a consult at the Philippine Embassy in Berne.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/11/25/14/ombudsman-wants-forfeiture-nani-perezs-assets">Ombudsman wants forfeiture of Nani Perez&#x27;s assets</a></li></ul>

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its resolution to allow the deposition of a witness in the forfeiture case of ex-DOJ Secretary Nani Perez.

Sandigan affirms decision allowing testimony of witness in Nani Perez forfeiture case

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Sandigan affirms decision allowing testimony of witness in Nani Perez forfeiture case

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 26, 2022 11:33 AM PHT

Read More:

Sandiganbayan

Nani Perez

corruption

forfeiture

Mark Jimenez

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