Former deputy special prosecutor to defend Abalos in ZTE case

MANILA, Philippines - Retired deputy special prosecutor Jose de Guzman-Ferrer will defend former elections chairman Benjamin Abalos in the graft case he is facing before the Sandiganbayan.

Last Tuesday, Ferrer, along with co-counsels Salvador Panelo and Gabriel Villareal, appeared before the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division for the arraignment of Abalos on charges of graft for his alleged involvement in the botched $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between the government and Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

Panelo said Ferrer is a hard worker who doesn’t come to court unprepared.

Panelo added Ferrer was made lead counsel because he is the most senior among the three of them.

The lead counsel argues the case in court unless he wants his co-counsels to take over for the day, he said.

Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras-Sulit said the prosecution will not cower before their former boss when they go after Abalos in court.

“It’s work, nothing personal,” she said.

“He knows his limits and he knows his bounds. Even if we used to be his subordinates, I know he will not cross the line.”

Barreras-Sulit said they will perform their duties as prosecutors to the best of their abilities.

“There’s no possibility of influence peddling because we know him to be a gentleman and very professional,” she said.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Robert Kallos said he has worked for years with Ferrer, whom he considers a friend.

“A good legal battle is expected to begin,” he said.

“We will do the best for the prosecution, whoever we face in court,” he said.

Kallos described Ferrer as a good and hardworking lawyer and prosecutor.

Ferrer is a pioneer in the Office of the Ombudsman, he added.

Ferrer, Villareal, and Panelo will again face the prosecution headed by Prosecution Bureau IV directors Rabrendanath Uy and Ireneo Paldeng and Deputy Special Prosecutor Cornelio Somido on Sept. 6 for the pre-trial conference of the Abalos case.

Ferrer started working for the Office of the Tanodbayan, precursor of the Office of the Ombudsman, in 1979.

He rose from the ranks until he became deputy special prosecutor.

Ferrer completed his seven-year term in 1995 during the term of then Ombudsman Aniano Desierto.

Abalos is accused of brokering for a foreign contractor in the NBN-ZTE deal in exchange for a fee.

He allegedly offered bribes to former National Economic and Development Authority director general Romulo Neri and businessman Jose de Venecia III.