Sebastian pressured to plead guilty in drug case – De Lima

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima believes that drug convict Jaybee Sebastian was pressured to plead guilty in a drug case pending before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206.

In case 17-167, the senator is accused of conspiring with Sebastian, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Franklin Jesus Bucayu, his former staff Wilfredo Elli, De Lima’s former security aides Ronnie Dayan and Joenel Sanchez, and a certain Jose Adrian Dera, to trade drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa to allegedly raise funds for her 2016 senatorial bid.

Prosecutors revealed on Sept. 11 that Sebastian pleaded guilty to the charges during his arraignment at the NBP courthouse on Sept. 4.

According to De Lima, Sebastian was pressured by President Duterte’s "operators" to falsely testify against her in exchange for his and his family’s safety.

“Not surprisingly, Jaybee Sebastian pleaded guilty due to threats to his life and that of his family. Let’s not forget that Sebastian’s life was previously placed in danger because he initially refused to testify against me. Kailangan niyang gawin ‘yan dahil buhay niya mismo ang nakasalalay diyan,” De Lima claimed.

According to De Lima’s camp, the case was based on complaints filed by two disgruntled National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officers who were reportedly not re-appointed to their desired positions during term as justice secretary.

On Sept. 28, 2016, Sebastian was stabbed by a fellow prisoner during a riot inside NBP’s Building 14, a facility housing high-profile inmates.

Sebastian, Peter Co and Vicente Sy were wounded while Tony Co died in the attack.

The stabbing happened days after then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said Sebastian was unwilling to testify on De Lima’s alleged ties to the Bilibid drug trade, the senator’s camp said.

According to De Lima, Sebastian has nothing to lose with his admission of guilt, “since he is already convicted of another crime, Sebastian’s admission of his guilt in relation to the drug charge will have no effect in him. The fear now is if he will live - if he recants.”

Filibon Tacardon, De Lima’s legal counsel, said while there was an admission of guilt, prosecutors still need to provide evidence of Sebastian’s guilt under the Rules of Court.

“The crime alleged involves the penalty of Reclusion Perpetua (40 years) and the prosecution is yet to — and is required to — provide the pieces of evidence needed to prove Sebastian’s guilt,” he said.

During her arraignment last July 27, De Lima refused to enter any plea, prompting the court to enter a “not guilty” plea on her behalf.

“I refuse to enter any plea. I don’t recognize the validity of the charges against me,” she told the court.