Designated Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood said the court will not specify a sentencing date at this time for Armilaine Salamat who was due for sentencing tomorrow.
Through her lawyer Loren Sutton, Salamat said she is a cooperating witness in the prosecution of her co-defendant, Ana Maria Villadiego Villegas.
The court noted that the “prosecution is not yet resolved (whether by jury verdict, plea agreement, dismissal, etc.), so no party is in a position to assess the value of [Salamat’s] cooperation for sentencing purposes.”
Villegas’ counsel, Mark Scoggins, and the prosecution said the jury trial may begin in March.
According to the judge, Salamat “may, at any time, move to put her sentencing back on calendar.”
The judge added, “If [Salamat] so moves before the prosecution of her co-defendant is resolved, her motions shall explain why the court should proceed to sentencing even though no party is in a position to assess the value of her cooperation for sentencing purposes.”
Salamat, a.k.a. Armilaine Legaspi Lizama or Armie, Anna Marie V. Villegas, or Mary Ann, are out on bail.
Salamat is the former manager of PNB Express remittance center while Villegas is the former co-owner of Philippine Express Remittance.
According to the indictment, Salamat, starting in 2004, allowed Villegas to transact several worthless checks at PNB Express, amounting to over $109,000.
Salamat also transferred funds into a foreign bank account, based on Villegas’ worthless checks, the indictment stated.
Another former co-owner of Philippine Express Remittance, Haydn L. Villegas, was indicted by the grand jury on the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
He has denied the charge and is also out on bail. Mr. Villegas is Anna Marie V. Villegas’ husband.
