The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday filed several complaints against Senator Leila De Lima and 17 others with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with their alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison.
Following nearly two months of fact-finding probe, the NBI asked the DOJ to conduct preliminary investigation on De Lima for violation of Sections 5, 26 (b), and 27 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165), qualified bribery (Revised Penal Code) and Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019).
De Lima, a former justice secretary, was also charged for violation of An Act Punishing the Receiving and Giving of Gifts of Public Officials and Employees (Presidential Decree 46) and Section 7 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713).
Facing complaints for direct bribery and violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, PD 46 and Section 7 (d) of RA 6173 are the following:
High-profile inmates were also included in the charge sheet, specifically in relation to the sale and distribution of illegal drugs which is punishable under RA 9165.
The NBI based its complaints on sworn statements, documents, and testimonies of various resource persons, including inmates, who took part in the inquiry of the House of Representatives on the issue.
The complaints will likely be consolidated with two others pending before a five-man panel of prosecutors formed by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
De Lima has repeatedly denied the allegation that she protected drug syndicates inside the NBP in exchange for funds for her 2016 election campaign.
She accused the government, whom she criticized for its bloody war on drugs, of fabricating evidence and coercing witnesses to testify against her. Complaint
In its complaint, the NBI said De Lima failed to fulfill her mandate of ridding the national penitentiary of illegal drugs during her five-year stint at the DOJ.
"Instead of fulfilling this mandate, Senator De Lima effectively brought about, supported and even promoted the proliferation of illegal drugs by conspiring with inmate gang leaders, for the purpose of furthering her political ambitions," the complaint read.
De Lima's claim that she initiated the much publicized raid in the NBP's maximum security compound in December 2014 also deserves "scant consideration," the NBI said.
"Although it is true that a raid was conducted, contraband confiscated and prisoners transferred, we are still faced with the quandary of whether that which occurred was an honest and legitimate operation meant to cleanse the NBP of illegal narcotics, or one that was merely staged for the purpose of giving the public the appearance that Senator De Lima took the necessary steps to thwart the drug trade inside the NBP," it said.
What was clear to the NBI is that De Lima could not have been successful in pooling campaign funds without the "indispensable support and involvement" of Baraan, who had supervision over the BuCor, Bucayu and Ragos.
The agency said Baraan, Bucayu and Ragos were appointed to their positions through De Lima's intervention and "thus practically owed her a huge debt."
"In the final analysis, it is this culture of shameless corruption exacerbated during the terms of Secretary De Lima, Justice Undersecretary Baraan, Director Bucayu and OIC Director Ragos, including all their confederates as named herein, that ultimately led to the opening of floodgates for all kinds of illicit activities inside the NBP, most notably the proliferation of illegal drugs," the NBI said.
Following nearly two months of fact-finding probe, the NBI asked the DOJ to conduct preliminary investigation on De Lima for violation of Sections 5, 26 (b), and 27 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165), qualified bribery (Revised Penal Code) and Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019).
De Lima, a former justice secretary, was also charged for violation of An Act Punishing the Receiving and Giving of Gifts of Public Officials and Employees (Presidential Decree 46) and Section 7 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713).
Facing complaints for direct bribery and violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, PD 46 and Section 7 (d) of RA 6173 are the following:
former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Jesus Bucayu
former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III
former Bucor officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos
De Lima's former security aide and Presidential Security Group Member Joenel Sanchez
De Lima's former driver and bodyguard Ronnie Dayan
Ragos'close-in aide and NBI agent Jovencio Ablen Jr.
Bucayu's alleged bagman Wilfredo Elli
DOJ employee Jesusa Francisco
De Lima's personal assistant during her DOJ stint Lyn Sagum
a certain Julius Rejuso
an alias George
High-profile inmates were also included in the charge sheet, specifically in relation to the sale and distribution of illegal drugs which is punishable under RA 9165.
Jaybee Sebastian
Herbert Colanggo
Engelbert Durano
Vicente Sy
Wu Tuan Yuan alias Peter Co
Jojo Baligad
The NBI based its complaints on sworn statements, documents, and testimonies of various resource persons, including inmates, who took part in the inquiry of the House of Representatives on the issue.
The complaints will likely be consolidated with two others pending before a five-man panel of prosecutors formed by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
De Lima has repeatedly denied the allegation that she protected drug syndicates inside the NBP in exchange for funds for her 2016 election campaign.
She accused the government, whom she criticized for its bloody war on drugs, of fabricating evidence and coercing witnesses to testify against her. Complaint
In its complaint, the NBI said De Lima failed to fulfill her mandate of ridding the national penitentiary of illegal drugs during her five-year stint at the DOJ.
"Instead of fulfilling this mandate, Senator De Lima effectively brought about, supported and even promoted the proliferation of illegal drugs by conspiring with inmate gang leaders, for the purpose of furthering her political ambitions," the complaint read.
De Lima's claim that she initiated the much publicized raid in the NBP's maximum security compound in December 2014 also deserves "scant consideration," the NBI said.
"Although it is true that a raid was conducted, contraband confiscated and prisoners transferred, we are still faced with the quandary of whether that which occurred was an honest and legitimate operation meant to cleanse the NBP of illegal narcotics, or one that was merely staged for the purpose of giving the public the appearance that Senator De Lima took the necessary steps to thwart the drug trade inside the NBP," it said.
What was clear to the NBI is that De Lima could not have been successful in pooling campaign funds without the "indispensable support and involvement" of Baraan, who had supervision over the BuCor, Bucayu and Ragos.
The agency said Baraan, Bucayu and Ragos were appointed to their positions through De Lima's intervention and "thus practically owed her a huge debt."
"In the final analysis, it is this culture of shameless corruption exacerbated during the terms of Secretary De Lima, Justice Undersecretary Baraan, Director Bucayu and OIC Director Ragos, including all their confederates as named herein, that ultimately led to the opening of floodgates for all kinds of illicit activities inside the NBP, most notably the proliferation of illegal drugs," the NBI said.
Source: gmanetwork
Share this story!
Visit and follow our website: Duterte News Global
© Duterte News Global
Post a Comment