The Sandiganbayan has denied the motion of former Albay 3rd District Rep. Reno G. Lim to order the prosecution to submit the original copies of the documents in his criminal cases for examination by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Lim was charged with violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds in connection with his alleged misuse of P13.5 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) when he was a legislator.
In denying Lim’s motion, the anti-graft court said that the prosecution had been directed to turn over the copies of the original documents. But it said the prosecution had manifested that the copies are in the custody of the Commission on Audit (COA).
The court also said that the prosecution pointed out that it had finished the presentation of its evidence.
“The directive of this Court addressed to the prosecution to produce such record which is not within the prosecution's custody is withdrawn. Defense is hereby reminded to timely complete the presentation of its evidence in accordance with the rules," the Sandiganbayan said in a resolution written by Associate Justice Michael Frederick L. Musngi with the concurrence of Associate Justices Oscar C. Herrera Jr. and Bayani H. Jacinto.