Court junks bail plea of ex-PNP chief Razon, others

MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine National Police chief Avelino “Sonny” Razon Jr failed in his bid to gain temporary liberty after the Sandiganbayan on Friday, February 6, junked his bail petition.  

In a 50-page resolution, the Sandiganbayan 4th Division rejected Razon’s motion for bail in relation to the graft and malversation charges filed against him. (READ: Court orders arrest of ex-PNP chief Razon)

Only former police directors Reynaldo Varilla and Charlemagne Alejandrino were granted bail because evidence against them was not strong enough to deny them bail.

The rest of Razon’s co-accused, which includes PNP comptrollers Geary Barias and Eliseo de la Paz, as well as other former and incumbent PNP officials and several private individuals, were all denied bail. 

Associate Justice Alex Quirzon penned the resolution, with Associate Justices Jose Hernandez and Napoleon Inoturan concurring. 

The Ombudsman sued Razon and 32 others in July 2013 for alleged irregularities in the repair and maintenance of several light armored vehicles in 2007. (READ: Graft charges vs ex-PNP chief Razon, others affirmed) 

The Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices established that Razon, upon assuming the top PNP post, requested for a budget to supplement what had already been requested by his predecessor, then PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon, on August 14, 2007.

Calderon had requested P275.37 million for 10 units of V-150 LAVs for the PNP Special Action Force. When Razon took over, he requested an additional budget to repair and refurbish 18 more LAVs. This caused the total amount to balloon to more than P400 million.

The respondents were charged for graft and for malversation through falsification over any or all of 4 acts: purchase of 40 tires for the LAVs; anomalous repair and maintenance of the 10 initial V-150 LAVs; the repair and maintenance of another 18 V-150 LAVs; and the disbursement of PNP funds originally allotted for transportation and delivery expenses. 

Razon surrendered to the Sandiganbayan after the court ordered his arrest in August 2013. He used to head the elite Special Action Force of the PNP. (READ: Razon’s jail is his former kingdom) – Rappler.com