3 employees of Cebu vice gov charged for perjury

CEBU CITY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) filed perjury charges the other day against three employees of Vice Gov. John Gregory Osmeña who were linked to the P3.6-billion shipment of pseudoephedrine, a shabu precursor, intercepted here last March 5.

The PDEA finally decided to press charges against Joebert Cuesta, Maria Rowena Roldan and Rorela Villegas after falling short of the deadline given by Rep. Antonio Cuenco, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs.

Also included in the case filed in the city prosecutor’s office were two other incorporators of Coastside Ventures Inc., namely, Ana Leah Banal and Malou Milagros Legaspi, as well as Michael "Mike" Cummings and several other unidentified people.

Cummings, who remains at large, claimed to be a representative of Coastside Ventures, consignee of the 1,500 kilos of pseudoephedrine.

The case stemmed from the respondents’ denial of any involvement in the shipment despite the fact that PDEA records show that they are officials of Coastside Ventures.

Roldan and Cuesta submitted to the PDEA’s Compliance Service several documents, including their NBI clearances and BIR identification cards, to support their application for license to import and distribute controlled chemicals.

They, however, denied any involvement in Coastside Ventures when the PDEA summoned them to shed light on the illegal importation of the pseudoephedrine from China.

The shipment was intercepted by joint elements of the PDEA and Bureau of Customs upon its arrival at the Cebu International Port last March 5.

PDEA chief investigator Prospero Bona said the denial of Roldan and Cuesta constitutes a violation of Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code.

Based on their records, Bona said Roldan and Cuesta submitted a letter of authority, a sworn affidavit of compliance, an organizational chart of Coastside Ventures where they are listed as officials, NBI clearances, a certificate of registration and other pertinent documents to support their application for license to import controlled chemicals.

According to Bona, based on these documents, there is a reasonable ground to believe that the respondents "maliciously allowed themselves to be used by confederating and mutually helping one another in the illegal importation of pseudoephedrine."

Edgar Gica, who represents the three employees of Osmeña, described the filing of the case as premature and blamed Cuenco and Gov. Pablo Garcia for having a hand in it.

"What is clear is that it is rather a demonstration of immaturity and childishness for Rep. Cuenco and Gov. Pablo Garcia to consider their high positions in government as their carte blanche to dictate to the PDEA on what to do," Gica said.

He said his clients have consistently denied any involvement in Coastside Ventures.

Charges of illegal importation of drug precursors will also be filed against the same respondents after the PDEA gathers documents from Australia and China.

The PDEA has joined efforts with the Australian police in investigating an international syndicate allegedly behind the importation of the pseudoephedrine. — Freeman News Service