By Czarina Nicole O. Ong
Former Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan and his son, Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan, have been charged before two separate divisions of the Sandiganbayan due to the reportedly anomalous filing of their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
The elder Tan has been slapped with five counts for violating Section 8 of Republic Act 6713, also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. His charges went to the Sixth Division.
His son was slapped with two counts for the same violation, and his cases went to the Third Division.
In the charge sheets filed by Assistant Special Prosecutor III Jorge B. Espinal, the elder Tan was charged for failing to submit his SALNs from the years 2007 to 2011.
As for the younger Tan, he reportedly failed to submit his SALNs from 2010 to 2011.
Bail has been set at P50,000 for the former governor, while Samier Tan will have to pay P20,000 for his provisional liberty.
In both their cases, complainant Temogen Sahipa Tulawie, the political rival of the elder Tan, would be serving as witness alongside lawyer Samuel P. Naugayan.