SC upholds forfeiture of P155M properties of late AFP comptroller's heirs

The Supreme Court's Third Division has upheld the forfeiture of properties and accounts amounting to approximately P155 million, belonging to the heirs of retired Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller, the late Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot.

The high court affirmed the Sandiganbayan's decision, stating that wealth acquired by a public officer disproportionate to their lawful income is presumed ill-gotten and subject to forfeiture, even if registered under other individuals.

Ligot served in the AFP from 1970 to 2004 and was a comptroller, but his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth from 1982 to 2003 did not reflect the actual wealth accumulated by his family.

A lifestyle check by the Office of the Ombudsman revealed that Ligot's funds and properties were acquired unlawfully.

The forfeiture order covers assets traced to Ligot but registered under his wife, children, sister, and brother-in-law, who were allegedly used as fronts to conceal his wealth.

These include undeclared properties registered directly under Ligot's name and/or his wife's, as well as properties listed under their children's names.

Specifically, condominium units in Makati City were registered under his sister's name, but Ligot and his wife made most amortization payments, and a unit in Taguig City, registered under his brother-in-law, was originally purchased by Ligot's wife.