By Rey Panaligan
The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed Bohol’s governor-elect Arthur C. Yap to travel abroad until June 29 to attend a program on solid waste management and desalination in the Netherlands.
In a resolution issued by its first division last June 3 but was made public on Friday (June 7), the SC imposed conditions on the travel pleaded by Yap who is facing a graft case before the Sandiganbayan.
Yap has elevated several issues on his Sandiganbayan case before the SC and his petition is still pending resolution.
The SC said Yap has to post a travel bond of P100,000 with the High Court, has to designate in writing – in a form of a special power of attorney -- his personal agent with authority to act for and on his behalf for the duration of his travel abroad, and has to file written notice of his arrival within 24 hours from his return to the Philippines.
Based on the itinerary Yap submitted to the SC, the out-going member of Congress for Bohol’s third district and former secretary of the Department of Agriculture said that he and members of his family will travel to Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea from June 6 until June 29.
Yap told the SC his travel abroad would also be an opportunity to bond with his family before he assumes his new position as Bohol governor.
It was not known immediately if Yap and members of his family have left the country.
In his manifestation, Yap told the SC that he is not a flight risk considering that he is an incumbent elected public official and has been recently elected to a new post.
He also told the SC his personal, family, and business interests remain in the country, and he had previously posted a travel bond of P120,000 with the Sandiganbayan and the bond has not been withdrawn.
“In view of the manifestations and the assurances by the petitioner (Yap) that he has no reason to flee the jurisdiction or to evade his responsibilities, the Court finds that he has proven that he is not a flight risk,” the SC said.
Yap, together with former Department of Science and Technology (DOST) secretary William Padolina, was charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the P15.8 million car plan of the Philippine Rice Research Institute in 2008 and 2009. He was charged in his capacity as chairperson of the rice research institute.
When the Sandiganbayan denied his motion to dismiss the case, he elevated the issue before the SC.