Senate Blue Ribbon committee report on Garcia plea bargain deal

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee headed by senator Teofisto Guingona III during a press briefing on Thursday revealed its report on the investigation conducted in connection with the plea bargaining agreement forged between former military comptroller Carlos Garcia and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Senator Guingona said the report, signed by 11 member-senators, is partial. He refused to provide details of the 65-page report pending his formal press conference same day at the Senate.

Salient Points

The committee chairman, however, disclosed that the Blue Ribbon recommends the following:

• All plea bargain deals should be approved by the Solicitor General, Department of Justice and the Ombudsman;
• Plea bargain deals should no longer be allowed in plunder cases;
• Amend the Anti-Money Laundering Law;
• DOJ should have the power to prosecute special prosecutors;
• The Office of Special Prosecutors should be separate from the Office of the Ombudsman (special prosecutors solely for prosecution, the Ombudsman for investigation).

According to media reports, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committe calls for the following:

• Impeachment of Ombudsman;
• Resignation of Ombudsman;
• Firing of Special Prosecutors;
• Nullification of the Garcia plea bargain deal.

The Blue Ribbon is also recommending for the House of Representatives to submit to the Senate the articles of impeachment against Gutierrez at the soonest time possible.

We will post the report on this page upon availability.

References: ANC, The Philippine Star