Former Immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, and retired policeman Wally Sombero, on Friday pled not guilty in the plunder case filed against them at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the P50-million bribery scandal at the Bureau of Immigration.
The Ombudsman charged Argosino, Robles and Sombero with the non-bailable offense of plunder; and one count each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree 46.
At the same time, Sombero told the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division said he was not guilty of any wrongdoing as regards to the charges leveled against him.
Argosino, Robles and Sombero were all detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
The Sandiganbayan earlier denied the motion to dismiss the case that was filed by Argosino and Robles, respectively, because it found ‘sufficient basis’ to proceerd with the trial of their case.