The SC en banc partially granted Ong’s appeal for Judicial Clemency, granted his retirement benefits and declared him as entitled to his full pension. The high court also lifted the penalty of disqualification from reemployment of government agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations. The investigation into Ong three years since the acquittal of Napoles, where Ong concurred with the ruling. This prompted the high court to conduct an investigation, headed by retired Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez. Plea for Judicial ClemencyFive years since his dismissal, Ong sought the SC for judicial clemency telling the court that he had become a “remorseful and better individual” over time and that he took full responsibility for his actions.

Source: Philippine Star July 06, 2021 10:30 UTC