As it seeks to conclude its probe on the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City, the House Committee on Justice is anticipating the “more dreadful” supplemental affidavit of National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Rafael Ragos disclosing his supposed January to March “deliveries” to Sen. Leila M. de Lima, ranging from P800,000 to P1.7 million.
Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, vice chairman of House Committee on Justice, said Ragos will again testify at the resumption of the House NBP probe today.
He disclosed that Ragos executed an affidavit dated September 26 detailing his supposed deliveries to De Lima, including the P1 million he allegedly handed over to De Lima’s former bodyguard and driver, Ronnie Dayan, in February 2013 for De Lima to facilitate the pardon of inmate German Agojo.
As stated in his September 5, 2016 affidavit, Ragos told the House panel that he delivered R5 million to the senator’s house in two instances.
“May pangalawa kasi siyang (Ragos) affidavit, supplemental affidavit, na medyo mas nakakatakot,” Veloso said in a radio interview.
“Well, in a way, mas mabigat kasi mas marami ang sinasabing deliveries,” he said, citing that Ragos’ supplemental affidavit can be treated as a “strong evidence” against De Lima.
Citing Ragos’ supplemental affidavit, he said the former officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Corrections allegedly gave Dayan P1 million for De Lima to expedite the pardon of Agojo, which did not take off and the money was never returned to the inmate.
“Ngayon itong February 2013, nagbigay din siya (Ragos) kay De Lima through Dayan ng P1 million. The money came from German Agojo. Para ma-facilitate ‘yong application ni German for pardon. Although walang nangyari ito dahil may mga rason. But ang pera na P1 million was never returned to him,” Veloso said, quoting Ragos’ supplemental affidavit.
He even noted that in January 2013, a certain Jorge Co gave de Lima P800,000 through Dayan.
“January, February, and March puro ito mga tig-P800,000. Ang sabi ay galing ito sa caterer ng New Bilibid Prison.
Doon sa January, meron din siyang natanggap na R1.7 million from (NBI intelligence agent Jovencio) Ablen which he delivered to Dayan,” Veloso said. (Charissa M. Luci)