The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division will not decide on the motion of Ombudsman Samuel Martires to withdraw usurpation and graft charges against former President Benigno Aquino III until the Supreme Court lifts its temporary restraining order (TRO). But sitting Ombudsman Martires last week moved to withdraw the case. ADVERTISEMENTDuring Friday’s hearing on Martires’ motion to withdraw, the current Ombudsman said there was no usurpation since Aquino was President at the time of the incident. But while Martires argued that the case information against Aquino should be withdrawn, the antigraft court’s Fourth Division said it could not decide on the motion until the high court lifts its TRO. VACC legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said their camp still planned to file homicide cases against Aquino after the high court lifts the TRO.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 05, 2019 21:11 UTC