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Sandiganbayan in Quezon City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

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Sandiganbayan 

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17739811787921773981177441.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sandiganbayan in Quezon City. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Sandiganbayan denied the motion of gambling operator Jack Lam to quash the criminal information filed against him over the alleged P50 million bribery scheme involving Bureau of Immigration officials.</p><p>In a resolution promulgated on Wednesday, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division ruled that the information filed against Lam for violation of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 46 remained valid, despite the businessman’s claims that the case lacked factual basis.</p><p>PD 46 prohibits public officials from receiving, and private individuals from giving, directly or indirectly, gifts or any form of benefit in the course of official duties.</p><p>Lam argued the case should be dismissed because his co-accused, former BI Deputy Commissioners<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/03/09/17/ex-immigration-exec-apologizes-evades-being-cited-in-contempt"> Al Argosino and Michael Robles</a>, had their charges for the same offense dropped in 2021.</p><p>At the time, the court ruled that convicting the former officials of PD 46 violations while also convicting them of plunder would violate the proscription against double jeopardy. </p><p>However, the court said this protection does not apply to Lam.</p><p>&quot;Unlike accused Argosino and Robles, accused Lam is not, at the same time, charged with, and found guilty of, Direct Bribery and/or Plunder,&quot; read the resolution penned by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/18/sandiganbayan-affirms-graft-conviction-of-ex-pnp-execs-1128">Sandiganbayan affirms graft conviction of ex-PNP officials over procurement of vehicle parts</a></div><p>The case originated from the alleged P50-million payment made by Lam, through middleman Wenceslao Sombero Jr., to Argosino and Robles in November 2016. </p><p>The payment was reportedly in exchange for the release of over 1,300 Chinese nationals arrested for illegal work at Lam’s Fontana Leisure Park in Pampanga.</p><p>Lam argued he is not a public official and that there was no evidence he transacted directly with the BI commissioners.</p><p>However, the court noted that at this stage of the proceedings, the prosecution only needed to allege the acts, not yet prove them.</p><p>&quot;Clearly, the Information alleges acts constituting Violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, contrary to accused Lam&#x27;s insistence that there is no specific allegation as to his participation,&quot; the resolution read.</p><p>The court also refused to lift the hold departure order against Lam.</p><p>Despite the prosecution’s insistence on labeling Lam a &quot;fugitive from justice&quot; due to his reported presence in Hong Kong, the court said it has not yet made a declaration on his status.</p><p>It also stated that the prosecution failed to prove exactly when Lam left the country or if he was aware of the charges at the time of his departure.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><div><iframe width="544" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eUbcDRUNY74" title="CCTV shows &#x27;bribe&#x27; transfer between Lam aide, BI men" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="544" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/txwS6g6anS0" title="TV Patrol: Wally Sombero, kinasuhan na sina Argosino at Robles" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Sandiganbayan denied the motion of gambling operator Jack Lam to quash the criminal information filed against him over an alleged P50-million bribery scheme involving Bureau of Immigration officials.</p>

The Sandiganbayan denied the motion of gambling operator Jack Lam to quash the criminal information filed against him over an alleged P50-million bribery scheme involving Bureau of Immigration officials.

Court denies Chinese gambling tycoon's plea to dismiss case over alleged P50-M bribery scheme

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Court denies Chinese gambling tycoon's plea to dismiss case over alleged P50-M bribery scheme

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 20, 2026 12:42 PM PHT

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Sandiganbayan

Jack Lam

Gambling Operator

Immigration

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