DOJ chief: Convict Sebastian to testify in House probe

MANILA, Philippines – High-value inmate Jaybee Sebastian, the alleged bagman of Sen. Leila de Lima, has agreed to testify in the House of Representatives’ inquiry into the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II confirmed this yesterday after the House committee on justice, which is conducting the probe, issued a subpoena on Sebastian for the next hearing.

“Yes, he will testify in the House hearing,” Aguirre said in a text message.

As to what Sebastian would divulge in the hearing, Aguirre said he would not want to preempt his testimony.

“I don’t know what he will say. He still does not want to cooperate in the investigation. Maybe he will just deny the statements of other inmate-witnesses,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said they have tried to ask Sebastian, whom fellow inmates accused of raising millions from illegal drugs to help finance the campaign of De Lima in the senatorial race last May, to testify.

“But he said he would only speak insofar as the anomalies in food supplies in Bilibid is concerned, not on the illegal drug trade. With a subpoena from the House, he is now compelled to appear before the inquiry,” Aguirre explained.

Citing the affidavits of the other inmates, Aguirre said Sebastian allegedly started raising funds from drug money as early as 2011 to support the plan of De Lima then to run for senator in the 2013 midterm elections.

“Sebastian has been distributing illegal drugs to bosyo (gang leaders) since 2011 and the direction of the drug money was heading toward then justice secretary De Lima,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said the witnesses claimed that Sebastian’s drug operations continued in 2013 when De Lima decided to run in the May polls.

Aguirre also sought the issuance of subpoena on Ronnie Dayan, former driver and alleged lover of De Lima, and Joenel Sanchez, who reportedly accompanied Dayan in collecting money from the national penitentiary.

Aguirre said Sanchez is now with the Presidential Security Group.