THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday filed ill-gotten wealth charges against former police director-general Marcelino P. Garbo, Jr. and his spouse, lawyer Rosalinda S. Garbo, before the Office of the Ombudsman.

NBI Director Dante A. Gierran, in a statement, said the investigation spearheaded by the NBI-Anti Graft Division showed the couple amassed assets “way beyond their legitimate income and for non-declaration of said assets in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), which by law is required for all public officials and employees.”

The NBI will file three charges against Mr. Garbo, including falsification of public documents for the SALN misdeclaration.

The other charges would be for violation of Section 8 in relation to Section 11 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act (RA) 6713, and Violation of Section 7 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices or RA 3019.

In addition, the couple are facing “charges for violation of RA 1379 or An Act Declaring Forfeiture in Favor of the Government of Unlawfully Acquired Property, pertaining to the properties presumed to have been unlawfully acquired for being manifestly out of proportion to the lawful income of Mr. Garbo and his spouse, Ms. Garbo,” according to Mr. Gierran.

The NBI also recommended that “a corresponding request through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) be made with the United States (US) Government to determine if indeed lawyer Rosalinda S. Garbo or any member of the family owns a real property in the US and for their eventual forfeiture in favor of the Philippine Government in accordance with law.”

The NBI investigation, based on the complaint filed, was prompted by the President citing Mr. Garbo as among the high-ranking police officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

“In his speech at the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force in July 5, 2016, President Rodrigo R. Duterte mentioned five PNP (Philippine National Police) Generals who are allegedly protectors of syndicates involved in illegal drug trade. One of those mentioned is PDDG Marcelo P. Garbo, Jr.,” the complaint states.

“The NBI Task Force Anti-Illegal Drugs was forthwith ordered by the NBI Director to conduct the investigation,” it noted.

“In Nov. 28, 2016, the Task Force referred the financial investigation (lifestyle check) aspect of the probe to the Anti-Graft Division for appropriate action. The objective of this financial investigation is to determine whether or not Gen. Garbo has amassed ill-gotten wealth when he was still an Officer of the PNP,” it added. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan

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