DOJ chief dares PDEA: Show proof of bribery in drug case

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez on Thursday dared Philippine Anti-Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Dionisio Santiago to show proof that money changed hands in the release of the three so-called “Alabang boys" linked in a drug case. In a telephone interview with GMANews.TV, Gonzalez said that even if the National Bureau of Investigation is conducting its own probe on the alleged P50 million bribe attempt, Santiago must prove that Justice Department (DOJ) prosecutors have been bribed into recommending the release of Richard Santos Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph and Joseph Ramirez Tecson. “The NBI is investigating about it (alleged bribery attempt.) He ( Santiago ) should give proof. Dapat mapakita niya (He must come out with evidence) and we will be happy to receive it so we could get to the bottom of this," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez was reacting to Santiago’s earlier statement that he is prepared to spill the beans and to lay down all his cards on the alleged bribe try if the Senate decides to initiate its investigation. Earlier reports said Sen. Gregorio Honasan – chair of the Senate committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs – have expressed willingness to start a Senate probe on the controversy. PDEA officers including Special Enforcement Service head Major Ferdinand Marcelino earlier alleged there were three bribery tries to the DOJ panel of prosecutors handling the drug case against Brodett, Joseph, and Tecson in exchange for the dismissal of the said case. But Chief State Prosecutor Zuño, a panel member, declined to give a comment on Marcelino’s allegations and on the reported text messages implicating the DOJ panel. “I’m sorry. I will not entertain interviews upon the instruction of the Secretary (Gonzalez)," Zuño said in text message to GMANews.TV. Brodett, Joseph, and Tecson were arrested last Sept. 20 in a buy-bust and subsequent follow-up operations in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and Cubao in Quezon City . On Sept. 21, the three young men submitted themselves to the DOJ’s preliminary investigation. The case, however, was dismissed following a resolution from the department’s National Prosecution Service last Dec. 2. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV