Prosecution ends witness presentation vs Rep. Jojo Ang in conflict of interest case

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday rest its case against suspended Uswag Ilonggo Rep. Jojo Ang in two graft cases over his alleged conflict of interest in infrastructure projects.

The prosecution concluded its presentation of witnesses before the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division after presenting Bureau of Internal Revenue Region 11 Chief of Administrative and Human Resource Management Division Maria Lorna Mallari.

Mallari testified as custodian of the BIR’s certificates authorizing registration, which the prosecution presented to establish Ang’s shareholdings in Allencon Development Corp. while he was a member of the House of Representatives.

Previous witnesses included an Ombudsman investigator, a custodian of lawmakers’ statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs), and representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The court, chaired by Associate Justice Sarah Fernandez, directed the prosecution to submit its formal offer of evidence within seven days from Oct. 28.

The defense was also ordered to comment on the prosecution’s offer within seven days of receiving it.

The trial is set to resume on Dec. 2, when the defense is expected to present its first witness.

Ang faces two counts of graft before the Sixth Division. 

He also faces 12 other graft counts pending before the Sandiganbayan’s First, Second, Third and Fifth Divisions.