PDEA chief happy over Arroyo's leave order to DOJ execs in 'Alabang Boys' case

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief, Director General Dionisio Santiago, is happy over President Arroyo's order on Sunday to make Justice officials and prosecutors in the "Alabang Boys" drug-bribery mess to go on leave. The decision of the President should would give way to an "unhampered investigation" into the drug trafficking case which involves scions of wealthy families, Santiago said in an interview over radio dzBB. "Tama yun, tama yun [That’s right, that’s right]. I'm very happy with the decision of the President," he said. He also said that the directive is a clear message to those working in the government that President Arroyo is against illegal drugs. "Ang pinaka important dito is the message the President is, na pati sa amin parang nasa gobyerno kasama na kami, ako and my men and women sa PDEA, eh pwede kong sabihin na hindi tayo bibiruin talaga ni President when it comes to drugs. Good governance ang gusto ng Presidente and I think this investigation opens up an opportunity for the President to prove na talagang as far as she's concerned she wants this country to move forward," he said. ["What's important here is the message of the President that she won't take the issue to drugs lightly. The President wants good governance and I think this investigation opens up an opportunity for the President to prove that as far as she's concerned she want this country to move forward."] President Arroyo issued a statement earlier on Sunday instructing Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to require those implicated in the bribery mess to go on leave. "Today, I instructed Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to require leave of absence of all officials and prosecutors of the Department of Justice alleged to have received bribes in exchange for the release of suspected drug dealers from certain rich and influential families," she said. According to her, she as a mother was bothered over reports that drug suspects coming from affluent families could bribe their way to freedom. President Arroyo was referring to Richard Santos Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph, and Joseph Ramirez Tecson, the three alleged drug pushers who were arrested by PDEA agents last Sept. 20 in separate operations in Muntinlupa and Quezon City. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV