MALACAÑANG said on Wednesday it is unfair to link President Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, to alleged efforts to influence the Court of Appeals (CA) on the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)-Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) case, just because his lawyer is allegedly involved in it.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita also said in a phone-patch interview that he would do his best to keep Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairman Camilo Sabio in the country so he can fully address the charges leveled against him in connection with the case.

On the allegation that Mr. Arroyo might be involved in the case because of the alleged actions of his lawyer, Jesus Santos, Ermita said, “I think it’s just an assumption and right now it’s not fair to automatically drag the First Gentleman in every action, words that his legal officer may have done.....I think we should leave it at that for the moment. It’s unfair for the First Gentleman to be dragged into the case.”

Sabio had claimed that Santos, a member of the GSIS board of trustees, had called him to seek his help in convincing his younger brother, CA Justice Jose Sabio Jr., to favor the GSIS in the case.

Ermita declined to comment on whether Santos’s actions, if true, were inappropriate, but noted that “if it did happen, I think he should be more careful in taking such an action” because it would be misconstrued as being sanctioned by his most prominent client.

Asked whether Malacañang will order Sabio to cut down on his foreign travels so he could fully explain his side of the story to the appropriate bodies, Ermita said he would see whether he can “control” Sabio’s foreign trips to give him enough time to attend to the allegations against him in relation to the Meralco-GSIS case.

“I will remind him and find out whether he has some legal matters to address before he leaves for any trip abroad because, anyway, I sign the travel permits. So I will see how I can control his having to leave the country given there is this problem that he is facing here,” he said.

Palace: Unfair to link FG to Meralco-GSIS case

MALACAÑANG said on Wednesday it is unfair to link President Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, to alleged efforts to influence the Court of Appeals (CA) on the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)-Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) case, just because his lawyer is allegedly involved in it.

NBI raids game design firm, seizes pirated software

NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents swooped down on the premises of Anino Games Inc. (AGI), an award-winning game development studio known for pioneering the third-party game development in the Philippines, for alleged use of pirated design software.

Pampanga governor’s foes ‘sure’ of getting 100,000 signatures

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Pampanga lawmakers are seeking the recall of Gov. Eddie Panlilio, saying the priest- turned-politician has not delivered basic services to his constituents.

SC junks graft case vs DBP, cement company officers

THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed a resolution issued by the Ombudsman in 2000 dismissing the graft complaint filed against several officers of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Midland Cement Corp. in connection with the alleged behest loans the latter obtained from 1968 to 1981 amounting to P1.02 billion.

Asean antigraft bodies fortify cooperation

GOVERNMENT representatives from different Asian nations on Wednesday wound up a two-day conference at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) held to strengthen their cooperation in combating not only local but also transnational corruption.

‘Return Magdalo guns to Army’

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) asked the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Makati City on Wednesday to grant the request of the Army Judge Advocate for the immediate release of the firearms seized from the Magdalo Group so that these can be used in the ongoing campaign against disgruntled members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Bill makes sure local governments get full share of national wealth

THE House of Representatives has transmitted to the Senate a bill that seeks to remit directly to local governments their 40-percent share of the collections derived from national wealth taxes by the national government following its approval on third and final reading.