Sandiganbayan reopens case of ex-UN envoy Lauro Baja

The Sandiganbayan has reopened the case of former United Nations Ambassador Lauro Baja over his alleged misuse of funds for the repairs at the Philippine Mission’s townhouse in New York, USA.

The Fourth Division granted the motion for leave to reopen the proceedings of Baja in its January 10 resolution.

“In order to appease ang suspicion of an alleged miscarriage of justice, the accused is allowed to present his additional evidence,” the Sandiganbayan said.

Baja was sentenced to 16 to 24 years of imprisonment after the Sandiganbayan found him guilty of graft and malversation of public funds.

Records showed that when an insurance company paid for the repair and damage from a broken second floor heating system pipe at the townhouse, Baja deposited the $17,542.27 insurance money to an account he opened rather than to the Philippine Mission's account.

Baja later on withdrew the insurance money he had deposited in the account he opened in several transactions.

In his motion, Baja urged the Sandiganbayan to reopen the case and allow the testimony of representatives from the Commission on Audit and Lexington Insurance Corporation.

He said these will prove he did not violate any COA rules on the disposal of the insurance proceeds and there was no misappropriation of funds.

The Sandiganbayan said Section 24, Rule 119 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure allows it to reopen a ruling such as Baja’s conviction as long as it is not yet deemed final.

“Jurisprudence states that the only controlling guideline for the re-opening of cases is the paramount interest of justice, emphasizing that the remedy was meant to prevent a miscarriage of justice,” the Sandiganbayan said.

The anti-graft court set the presentation of evidence on March 4 and 5. — MDM, GMA News