Justice chief's sense of judgment is disturbing, says senator

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Pia S. Cayetano on Saturday accused Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez for allegedly covering up the possible lapses of his men in the dismissal of high profile cases like those of “Alabang Boys" and the shabu laboratory bust in La Union. Cayetano likewise criticized the "soft" attitude shown by Gonzalez toward Felisberto Verano Jr., the controversial counsel of prominent drug trafficking suspects Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, and Joseph Tecson. The trio have been called the "Alabang Boys." "It's disturbing that Secretary Gonzalez appeared not the least bothered by Verano's admission that he used the letterhead of the Department of Justice to draft a release order, then had it routed for approval in attempting to free his clients from prison," she said in a press statement. She added that instead of covering up Gonzalez should work for a no-holds-barred investigation to find out whether drug syndicates have already managed to infiltrate and maintain moles at the Justice Deparment. Cayetano was reacting to news about Gonzales who reportedly described Verano's action as "a minor infraction" when he could have immediately disowned and condemned it. "Secretary Gonzalez said he will investigate first whether there's any malice or bad faith on the part of Verano when he used the DOJ letterhead and had it routed for his signature," Cayetano said. "How come? Doesn't a private person's unauthorized use of the DOJ letterhead to issue an official order already constitute a serious breach of the agency's supposedly tight-guarded procedures?" "Verano's action indicates that the dispensation of justice can be easily tinkered with, literally, if you have strong connections at the DOJ," she added. "As justice secretary, he should be the first to ensure the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in his agency." - D'Jay Lazaro, GMANews.TV