Drug matrix personalities may face graft charges

MANILA, Philippines — Personalities involved in the drug matrix recently released by President Rodrigo Duterte may face drug-related graft charges, a Palace official said on Friday.

The so-called drug matrix claims that Sen. Leila de Lima and Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr. are among the key personalities involved in the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.

READ: Duterte matrix tags De Lima, ex-Pangasinan guv in drug trade

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that the personalities involved in the matrix are verified but their alleged links are yet to be finalized.

"If and when they have been finally verified the charges may have to deal with graft and drug related graft once information is actually verified," Abella said at a news conference aired on television.

Abella said that the information released by the president were based on "collaborative intelligence."

"Several witnesses have surfaced to prove certain allegations against certain personalities and they're in the process of taking affidavit of these particular witnesses including NBP guards, inmates and friends of these personalities that have been referred to," Abella said.

The Palace official stressed that the matrix presented by Duterte is complete but the details are being "worked out."

Other personalities involved in the drug matrix are De Lima's driver Ronnie Dayan, former Justice Undersecretary Francisco "Toti" Baraan III, Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Rafael "Raffy" Baraan, retired Gen. Franklin Bucayo and Pangasinan Board Member Raul Sison.

Both De Lima and Espino have denied their alleged links in the drug trade at the penitentiary and questioned the contents of the matrix.

READ: De Lima on Duterte's drug matrix: Is this a joke? | Pangasinan solon denies alleged links in Bilibid drug trade