BuCor OKs Taguba transfer from NBP to House

MANILA, Philippines —  Citing security concerns, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has approved the temporary transfer of businessman Mark Taguba to the House of Representatives detention facility.

Taguba, one of three people convicted for smuggling P6.4 billion worth of shabu in 2017, had named members of a so-called Davao Group as the principal players in the shabu smuggling.

At the House quad committee hearing on Wednesday, Taguba reaffirmed his seven-year-old testimony linking Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and brother-in-law Manases Carpio to the drug shipment. Carpio is Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband.

The quad comm resolved to detain Taguba at the House “until the termination of the hearings or until the threat to his life is eliminated.”

Taguba’s transfer was done under Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla’s guidance, according to BuCor director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

“We allow Taguba to be under the custody of the sergeant at arms, subject to existing protocols and guidelines,” Catapang said.

Quad comm co-chair Rep. Benny Abante has thanked the BuCor for allowing the panel to take custody of Taguba.

Abante said House sergeant at arms Napoleon Taas will facilitate Taguba’s transfer from the New Bilibid Prison.

Taguba and his co-accused were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 by a Manila court for their roles in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China. Questions remain about the true ownership of the contraband.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear if the Vice President’s chief of staff Zuleika Lopez will be released from hospital detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Rep. Joel Chua said yesterday.

Lopez’s health is improving, Rep. Jay Khonghun noted.

On Nov. 20, the House committee on good government and public accountability cited Lopez in contempt. The panel chaired by Chua is probing Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.

Khonghun said Lopez will remain at the hospital until the panel decides if she will be released.

“I really don’t have an idea yet, whether it will be extended or she will be released and will be given a furlough. We will know that from the chairman,” Khonghun said.–  Jose Rodel Clapano