DOJ chief orders filing of charges vs 'Alabang Boys'
03/23/2009 | 07:48 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has ordered the filing of charges against the "Alabang Boys," the three suspected drug users and dealers caught during a government entrapment operation in September 2008.
Gonzalez ordered Muntinlupa and Quezon City prosecutors to initiate the filing of charges against Richard Brodett, Joseph Tecson, and, Jorge Joseph for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act.
The move was partly in compliance with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's order of slapping of charges against the three. The President also ordered the filing of administrative charges against state prosecutors who allegedly bungled the prosecution of the drug case.
Gonzalez said it would be up to Brodett, Tecson, and Joseph, scions of prominent and influential families, whether they would demand the conduct of a new preliminary investigation before the courts where the drug charges would be filed.
The Justice secretary also advised chief state prosecutor Jovencito Zuño and state prosecutor Phillip Kimpo to file an appeal on the order of the President to have them charged of negligence in the review of a resolution prepared by state prosecutor John Resado on the drug case. Mrs. Arroyo also ordered Resado investigated for possible bribery.
Gonzalez said the three prosecutors embroiled in the controversy were in a "quandary" over their status because President Arroyo did not lift her order for them to go on leave.
Even the memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on the matter failed to state if the three should be suspended pending their investigation by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, according to Gonzalez.
“I think that’s strange that these people will come to me for advice. Basically what they are saying is that they have been on leave for three months, which is already beyond the normal preventive suspension period," said Gonzalez.
"And of course some of them were complaining that… since they went on leave they have not been receiving salary. So in effect the consequence of that forced leave was practically a suspension because they are not receiving salary. No salary, no rata, no nothing," he added.
Gonzalez refused to say whether civil service rules were violated in relation to the prosecutors' suspension.
“Well, let’s just say that that is the fact. And it was the President who asked them to go on leave. It’s only the President who can restore them. Bottom line is everything belongs to the President’s prerogative over subordinate officials," the secretary said. - GMANews.TV
Gonzalez ordered Muntinlupa and Quezon City prosecutors to initiate the filing of charges against Richard Brodett, Joseph Tecson, and, Jorge Joseph for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act.
The move was partly in compliance with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's order of slapping of charges against the three. The President also ordered the filing of administrative charges against state prosecutors who allegedly bungled the prosecution of the drug case.
Gonzalez said it would be up to Brodett, Tecson, and Joseph, scions of prominent and influential families, whether they would demand the conduct of a new preliminary investigation before the courts where the drug charges would be filed.
The Justice secretary also advised chief state prosecutor Jovencito Zuño and state prosecutor Phillip Kimpo to file an appeal on the order of the President to have them charged of negligence in the review of a resolution prepared by state prosecutor John Resado on the drug case. Mrs. Arroyo also ordered Resado investigated for possible bribery.
Gonzalez said the three prosecutors embroiled in the controversy were in a "quandary" over their status because President Arroyo did not lift her order for them to go on leave.
Even the memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on the matter failed to state if the three should be suspended pending their investigation by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, according to Gonzalez.
“I think that’s strange that these people will come to me for advice. Basically what they are saying is that they have been on leave for three months, which is already beyond the normal preventive suspension period," said Gonzalez.
"And of course some of them were complaining that… since they went on leave they have not been receiving salary. So in effect the consequence of that forced leave was practically a suspension because they are not receiving salary. No salary, no rata, no nothing," he added.
Gonzalez refused to say whether civil service rules were violated in relation to the prosecutors' suspension.
“Well, let’s just say that that is the fact. And it was the President who asked them to go on leave. It’s only the President who can restore them. Bottom line is everything belongs to the President’s prerogative over subordinate officials," the secretary said. - GMANews.TV
