THE Sandiganbayan has allowed Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali-Tan to fly to Rome this week to join the third round of peace talks with the National Democratic Front.
Although Tan is not really a member of the government peace panel, she was invited to join the talks to be held on Jan. 18 to 25 as chairperson of the House committee on peace, rehabilitation and unity.
Tan had asked the anti-graft court permission to join the peace talks in Rome and proceed to France from Jan. 26 to 29 “to meet with the Filipino community.”
Tan was charged with six counts of violating code of conduct and ethical standards after failing to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth under oath or on time as vice governor of Tawi-Tawi from 2008 to 2013.
In 2008, Tan allegedly failed to file her 2007 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth under oath, according to the charge sheets.
For the next four years, she allegedly failed to file her SALNs for the years 2008 to 2011 under oath and on time. In 2013, she also failed to file her 2012 SALN within the period provided by law.
The Ombudsman filed the charges on Dec. 19 six counts of violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against Tan, who pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Tan was one of the prominent Mindanao politicians who were recently charged of violating SALN rules.
Aside from Tan, also charged with similar raps were Maguindanao Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II, his father and former vice governor Abdusakur Tan, Maimbung mayor Samuel Tan and former Lugus mayor Al-Zhudurie Asmadun.
