MANILA, Philippines – Tinanggihan ng Sandiganbayan ang hiling ni Pharmally official Mohit Dargani na bumyahe patungong Spain, Germany, at Thailand dahil sa kakulangan ng merito kasabay ng pending na graft charge laban sa kanya.
Sa resolusyon ng Sandiganbayan na may petsang Nobyembre 7, ang planong biyahe abroad ni Dargani ay isang flight risk dahil bukod sa kanyang pagiging isang Filipino citizen ay mayroon din itong Spanish citizenship.
Nangangahulugan na mas madali siyang makakabiyahe sa iba’t ibang bansa nang hindi kailangang kumuha ng visa.
“This [dual citizenship] fact presents a heightened flight risk, as it affords the accused the facility to easily enter and remain in a foreign jurisdiction, potentially complicating or frustrating extradition procedures, should he fail to return,” ayon sa Sandiganbayan.
Si Dargani ay nahaharap sa reklamong graft sa umano’y overprice na pagbili ng P4.4 billion halaga ng medical supplies mula sa Pharmally ng Department of Health noong kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic.
Dagdag pa, sinabi ng Sandiganbayan na hindi rin pwedeng i-invoke ni Dargani ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema sa Sy v. Sandiganbayan and People of the Philippines case dahil ang akusado sa naturang kaso ay hindi dual citizen.
“In [the] Sy [decision], there was no evidence presented to counter his status as a Filipino citizen or show that he is a citizen of his destination country that would enable him to have a prolonged stay therein. In this case, accused Mohit Dargani admitted to being a dual Filipino-Spanish citizen and only admitted to being a dual Filipino-Spanish citizen with a Spanish passport during the hearing on his motion for travel,” sinabi pa ng anti-graft court.
“The failure to disclose these relevant facts in the initial motion casts serious doubt on the genuineness and sincerity of his intentions and willingness to return to the Philippines. The fact that the accused’s co-accused sister, Twinkle Dargani, remains at-large further heightens the court’s concern regarding the possibility of evasion. These factors collectively indicate that the accused is a heightened flight risk, despite his claims of having strong ties to the Philippines,” dagdag nito.
Si Dargani ay humihingi ng permiso sa korte para bumyahe abroad at tinukoy na ito ay para sa medical check up at bibisita sa kanyang pamilya sa Madrid, Spain mula Nobyembre 10 hanggang 16, at dadalo sa Medica Trade Fair sa Germany mula Nobyembre 16 hanggang 22, at business meeting sa Barcelona mula Nobyembre 21 hanggang 24.
Dadalo rin ito sa kasal ng pinsan sa Thailand mula Nobyembre 24 hanggang 28.
Bigong makapagbigay ng tamang dokumentasyon si Dargani na ang mga biyaheng ito ay kinakailangan at hindi isang uri lamang ng ‘leisure.’
“It should be emphasized that the accused bears the burden of showing that seeking medical care in Madrid, Spain is necessary due to a threat to health or that he is suffering from a serious medical condition. As correctly argued by the Prosecution, the accused failed to show that he suffers from a rare or critical illness that cannot be competently diagnosed, treated, or managed by the medical professionals and facilities available in the Philippines,” sinabi ng Sandiganbayan.
“The claim that medical check-ups in Spain are covered by their national health insurance, while a matter of convenience, does not constitute an indispensable necessity to override the court’s jurisdiction,” dagdag pa.
“After a careful consideration of the arguments raised by the parties and the accompanying documents submitted by accused Mohit Dargani, the court resolves to deny accused’s motion for lack of merit. The grounds for travel are either routine, can be conducted remotely, or are purely for leisure,” ayon sa korte.
“Coupled with the material non-disclosure of his dual citizenship and the attendant flight risk, the court cannot be assured that the accused will faithfully comply with the condition of his provisional liberty and return as promised. Accordingly, premises considered, the Urgent Motion For Leave of Court to Travel Abroad dated October 29, 2025, filed by accused Mohit C. Dargani, is denied,” dagdag nito. RNT/JGC
