CA rejects ex-DFA chief Yasay plea over bank law violation raps

FILE: Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., (Photo courtesy: MPD-PIO via PNA)

MANILA — The Court of Appeals (CA) on Tuesday turned down the petition filed by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., and several other former officials of the Banco Filipino challenging the issuance of arrest warrants in connection with a case for violation of the country’s bank laws.

In a three-page resolution, the appellate court’s former 9th Division said the petition was premature because of a pending motion for reconsideration before the Manila Regional Trial Court regarding the deferment of issuance of an arrest warrant.

The decision by Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas Jr. was concurred in by Associate Justices Myra V. Garcia-Fernandez and Geraldine C. Fiel-Macaraig.

Yasay and his co-accused want Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Danilo Leyva to suspend the proceedings.

Yasay faces a case for violating Republic Acts 8791 (General Banking Law) and RA 7653 or the New Central Bank Act in connection with an anomalous PHP350-million loan from Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgages Bank.

The Manila court issued an arrest warrant last August, prompting Yasay and his co-accused to take their case to the CA.

Following his arrest on August 22, Yasay posted a PHP240,000 bail a day later.

Leyva directed Yasay to appear at the arraignment and pre-trial of the case on September 20.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in its comment said that the petition is premature because Yasay and his co-accused still have pending motions before the Manila RTC.