Ruffy Biazon (Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Manila Bulletin)
The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has given its thumb’s up to the travel motion filed by Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon to travel to Singapore and Maldives from April 3 to 10, 2018 in order to attend the Asia Dive Expo 2018.
His travel is subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the court, and he shall maintain his travel bond of P180,000 in order to guarantee his faithful compliance with the court’s rules.
“Any material misrepresentation made in his motion to travel shall be punished as contempt of this court and shall be dealt with accordingly,” the court warned in its resolution.
Biazon wrote in his travel motion that he will attend the expo, which will be held from April 6 to 8 in Suntec Convention and Exhibition Center in Singapore.
Since Biazon is the principal author of the proposed House Bill to promote and develop the sport of scuba diving in the Philippines, he hopes to attend and acquire knowledge to ensure safety to those partaking in the sport as well as promote the Philippines as one of the best diving countries in the world.
Meanwhile, Biazon did not mention the purpose of his Maldives trip, but he did say that he will be on board MV Maldives Princess from April 3 to 7, while he will be staying at Pan Pacific Singapore to attend the expo.
“Accused Biazon is not a flight risk and undertakes that he will come back. He has previously traveled and has complied with all the terms and conditions given to him by the honorable court,” he told the anti-graft court. “He is the incumbent representative of the Lone District of Muntinlupa, his family is staying here in the Philippines, and he has no reason to abscond.”
Biazon is facing graft, malversation, and direct bribery charges in relation to the alleged misuse of his P3 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) back in 2007. He reportedly took home P1.9 million worth of public funds after he collaborated with pork barrel queen Janet Lim Napoles to support her bogus foundation called the Philippine Social Development Foundation (PSDFI).
During his arraignment, Biazon pleaded not guilty to all charges.