Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has finally bared the names of those who offered P100 million to high-profile inmates of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to retract their testimonies against Senator Leila de Lima over her alleged involvement in the proliferation of the illegal drugs trade at the national penitentiary.
Aguirre said it was former Senator Jamby Madrigal and Biñan Rep. Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat who called up the eight high-profile Bilibid inmates detained at the Custodial Center of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo.
“Si Senator Jamby Madrigal at ‘yung incumbent congressman ay si Congressman Lenlen Alonte,” said Aguirre in a radio interview.
The secretary finally named the two after three of the inmates – Herbert Colanggo, Rodolfo Magleo and Engelberto Durano – executed their sworn affidavits before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Wednesday night.
He noted that the NBI was getting the sworn affidavits of the five other inmates yesterday.
Aguirre said they will file charges against those who made the offer because it is a serious offense under the law.
He assured that there are many witnesses including the guards and the inmates who heard the conversation which was done over the speaker of a mobile phone.
BASELESS
Madrigal slammed branded the Aguirre allegation as “baseless, malicious and outright lies’’ as she expressed hopes that Aguirre “isn’t losing his marbles.’’
“This morning Vitaliano Aguirre II maliciously claimed I somehow attempted to bribe one of his witnesses in a case of which I not only know nothing, but have no reason to be interested in whatsoever. I have been living the life of a quiet citizen far removed from the political mudslinging Mr. Aguirre apparently enjoys,” Madrigal said.
De Lima, through her spokesman, Ferdie Maglalang, does not even know Ms Madrigal personally and neither has she talked to her. (Jeffrey Damicog, Mario Casayuran)