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MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Grace Padaca asked Sandiganbayan to allow her to travel abroad despite a graft charge filed against her.
Padaca filed on Friday, October 26, a petition asking the court to allow her to participate in an International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) program about the US elections. She said she was designated by Comelec to attend the event.
Padaca was appointed Comelec commissioner on October 2.
The conference will be held on November 4 to 7 at Washington D.C., but she sought for a 10-day leave from November 2 to 12.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division will hear on Monday, October 29, Padaca’s petition.
Padaca is not allowed to go outside the country because of graft and malversation charges filed against her. The Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against her after she was accused of giving undue advantage to the Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation Inc. (EDWINLFI), a non-government organization tapped to manage a credit facility for Isabela’s rice farmers under a hybrid seed distribution program.
Prosecutors questioned the failure of defendants to conduct a public bidding when the transaction was in the nature of a management or consultancy a contract. They noted the absence of any provision for safeguards on the amount entrusted to the NGO.
Padaca posted a P70,000-bail on October 4 to evade arrest.
Her arraignment was originally scheduled on October 18, but Padaca petitioned to move it to November 29. – Rappler.com
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