Escudero hails GMA order to DOJ on "Alabang" case

CEBU - Although he is a staunch critic of the administration, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero yesterday praised President Gloria Arroyo for ordering Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez the other day to put on leave all his men involved in the alleged bribery in connection with the “Alabang Boys” drug case.

“I commend that action of the president, insofar as her order for them to take a leave of absence is concerned,” Escudero told the media during a press conference held at the office of 1st District Rep. Eduardo Gullas at the University of the Visayas.

The opposition senator explained that what Arroyo did is a “step closer” to putting the DOJ officials and prosecutors under preventive suspension while the investigation goes on.

In the order Arroyo issued the other day while still here in Cebu, Arroyo said that no one should be spared and that the full force of the government’s power to act against those who betray public trust should be applied swiftly and unequivocally.

It was the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency officials who questioned Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor and some prosecutors who recommended the dismissal of the charges filed against Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph and Joseph Tecson, also known as the “Alabang Boys”.

PDEA officials said bribes as much as P50 million were given to ensure the release of the three suspects arrested during a PDEA entrapment operation last September for alleged drug peddling.

PDEA earlier questioned Blancaflor for his “undue interest in the case” and when he allegedly called up PDEA Service Head Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino to follow-up the release of the suspects after the DOJ recommended the dismissal of their case.

Escudero asked if the undersecretary often does that to all suspects of various cases, or only to people he favors.

“What is saddening is the fact that these people, they don’t even think and realize they committed something wrong…Have they gone that low?” Escudero said in reference to Felisberto Verano, lawyer of the three, who admitted drafting their release order using stationery with the DOJ letterhead.

Meanwhile, Escudero said the Senate committee on justice and human rights, which he chairs, will gather data regarding cases filed by the DOJ panel and how many of these have already been dismissed. He also hopes to identify prosecutors who often dismiss cases.

“I would want to know that. It will be a (Senate) hearing you would want to watch,” he said.

The senator was in Cebu for the 120th birth anniversary of Don Vicente Gullas, father of Rep. Gullas and the 8th Charter Day anniversary of Talisay City.   — Liv G. Campo/BRP