Senators Deny Claims That They Are After De Lima
LEILA DE LIMA – Senators have contradicted claims that they are picking on detained Sen. Lelia de Lima as they roped her into the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation on the “GCTA for Sale” controversy.
Last week the Senate summoned two former BuCor Officials, Rafael Ragos and Jovencio Alben. Ragos was the BuCor officer-in-charge while Ablen was his deputy.
Senator Panfilo Lacson stated that they invited the two in order to exhibit that corruption at BuCor exists. He added that the investigation could not get anything out of incumbent officials.
He then said that they could not get any information from the officials invited due to their code of silence. Lacson stated that if not for two inmates, their wouldn’t be accounts of corruption inside Bilibid.
Due to the testimonies of both Ragos and Ablen the committee was able to verify anomalies within BuCor. These included at least seven corrupt practices involving rich drug convicts.
Lacson then stated that the investigation never meant to dig up cases against De Lima. He also said that the two witnesses illustrated their actual experience.
But, because of the testimonies of against her, it was just a matter of time until her name was mentioned. He then emphasized that De Lima’s cases are already being investigated in the courts.
Senator Richard Gordon added that the testimonies were just accounts of what has been happening at BuCor. These were the events that transpired under different justice secretaries.
Gordon then stated that they are not after Senator De Lima. However, it was inevitable that her name will be mentioned.
According to Philstar, de Lima slammed Gordon for his allegations that she made money from the GCTA law. This was back when she was at the Department of Justice.
In the statement, she said that Gordon insinuated that the IRR was intentionally made confusing. This would allow drug lords inside NBP to benefit from it.
She said that she took deep offense to such posturing. De Lima then added that the statement reeked of malice and bad faith.
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