Ong can be held liable for graft – court official

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MANILA – Following his dismissal from office, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Gregory Ong may still be held criminally liable for links with alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, an unnamed court official said yesterday.

The official also added that his removal from office could still be appealed to the court, adding that the court’s findings were only based from the administrative charges for gross misconduct, dishonesty and impropriety.

However, the insider said that Ong will become a former government official and may be subject to the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan, once the court’s order for his dismissal becomes final.

If this happens, the Office of the Ombudsman may investigate what happened and file charges against him with the anti-graft court.

The allegations included Ong’s involvement with Napoles where he purportedly received bribe money from the alleged pork scam mastermind in order to dismiss a malversation case against Napoles.

The said charges were filed against Napoles for the sale of 500 Kevlar helmets to the Philippine Marines in 1998.

“The administrative case isn’t covered by double jeopardy as he wasn’t charged with the felony of bribery before the Court. Whether or not the case will prosper is another thing altogether,” the official explained.