Manila, April 16 -- The Sandiganbayan has turned down the motion for reconsideration filed by Macao-based businessman Jack Lam in the charges filed against him for "gift-giving" arising from the 2016 incident involving former immigration officials who were subsequently charged with plunder.

The anti-graft court's Sixth Division, in a resolution dated April 14 and written by Associate Justice Sara Fernandez, denied Lam's plea for lack of merit.

The businessman has asked the Sandiganbayan to review its March 27 ruling on his indictment for violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, penalizing gift-giving by private individuals to government officials and employees.

Lam had been charged for handing former Bureau of Immigration (BI) deputy c...