Graft cases may be filed vs Bilibid drug matrix personalities —Abella
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella yesterday said those mentioned in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) drug matrix may face graft cases, specifically drugrelated graft cases, GMA News reported.
"Let us take a cue na lang from what DOJ [Department of Justice] said that several witnesses have come out to prove the allegations against certain personalities. And they are in the process of taking affidavits of these particular witnesses including NBP guards, inmates, and former friends of these personalities that have been referred to," Abella said at a press briefing in Malacañang.
"If and when they have been verified, charges may have to deal with graft and drug-related graft once information is actually verified," Abella said, adding that the other links are being finalized.
The Bilibid drug matrix President Rodrigo Duterte presented to the media in Davao City early Thursday morning showed that several personalities, including Senator Leila de Lima, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan and Pangasinan Representative Amado Espino Jr., are allegedly involve in the illegal drug trade.
All three have denied the President's accusations. De Lima, a former Justice secretary, even laughed off the matrix, saying it "properly belongs to the garbage can."
At a press conference on Thursday, she came out with a copy of Duterte's matrix with handwritten notes and "corrections," and said none of the arrows there pointed to her and implies that she was reporting to Espino.
She has repeatedly maintained her innocence and said she is willing to resign and even get shot in front of Duterte if there is "real evidence" against her.
Baraan also denied involvement in the illegal drug trade inside Bilibid, saying it "contradicts the deepest Christian values I hold dear." He also said he is prepared to face the complaint that will possibly be filed against him based on Duterte's pronouncement.
For his part, Espino has also denied links to the drug trade, and is even seeking an audience with Duterte to clear his name. He has also vouched for the innocence of Baraan's brother, Ryan, who served as administrator when he was still Pangasinan governor.
Espino said he met De Lima and her former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan only once at a wedding.