40 years in jail: ex-BI execs Argosino, Robles, bizman Sombero convicted of plunder in P50M immigration bribery case

By Billy Begas

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has found two former officials of the Bureau of Immigration guilty of plunder and graft for receiving P50 million from businessman Jack Lam in 2016 for the release of 1,316 Chinese nationals arrested at Fontana Leisure Park in Clark Freeport, Pampanga.

Former BI Deputy Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles were sentenced to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua for plunder and six to 10 years jail term for graft. They were also perpetually disqualified to hold public office.

The Court issued a separate but similar decision in the case of Wenceslao Sombero Jr., president of the Asian Gaming Service Provider Association Inc.

The prosecution claimed that Argosino and Robles took advantage of their position and conspired with Sombrero to demand and receive P50 million from Lam for the release of the arrested Chinese.

The Court said that the prosecution has “proved beyond reasonable doubt all the essential elements of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 (graft)…. all the essential elements of Plunder.”

The Court also said that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt all the elements of Direct Bribery and PD 46 (receiving gift) but the two cases must be dismissed because the acts are already included in committing plunder.

“The ill-gotten wealth accumulated, amassed, or acquired by accused… in the amount of P50 million now under the custody of the concerned government agencies, is hereby forfeited in favor of the State,” the decision read.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)