GOVERNMENT prosecutors and the Sandiganbayan Sheriff and Security Services Office are in agreement over the idea of auctioning off the black Honda CRV seized from retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia, the former comptroller of the Armed Forces who is facing plunder and perjury charges before the Sandiganbayan.

In a phone interview, Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio said his office has been paying for the fuel cost for the vehicle in the almost four years that the car has been parked at the basement of the Sandigan-bayan building.

The car was seized from a garage in Dumangas, Iloilo in 2004 for allegedly being part of the ill-gotten wealth of the Garcia family.

The all-black Honda CRV has been stripped of its plate numbers when it was found but conduction stickers on the car's window established the identity of the owner, according to court officers tasked to go after Garcia's assets.

"We cannot allow the car to deteriorate, so kailangan paandarin yung makina regularly. Sa budget ng OSP (Office of the Special Prosecutor) kinukuha yung pambili ng gasolina. Then there's the cost of oil change, battery check and engine tune-up. It has been almost four years now so we have already spent quite a lot," Villa-Ignacio said.

And at the rate Garcia's plunder case and the two forfeiture cases are going, a verdict is unlikely for several years yet.

Edgardo Urieta, chief sheriff of the graft court, said the car has become a nuisance because it occupies a spot in the basement parking lot that is supposed to be for the exclusive use of Sandiganbayan and OSP officials.

"If it is at all possible, we would prefer that the car be sold at an auction so we would be free of further responsibility over it. Anyway, the proceeds will likely be placed in escrow so no one will lose out," Urieta said.

Villa-Ignacio agreed selling Garcia's SUV at an auction would be the most logical move.

"I don't see any reason why the defendants should object. Selling the car now would preserve its present market value and once the proceeds are placed in escrow, the amount can earn interests. Under the present arrangement, the car steadily depreciates in value," he pointed out.

Garcia, his wife Clarita, and children Ian Carl, Timothy Mark and John Paul are facing one count of plunder before the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan and two forfeiture cases at the Fourth Division.