Senators dismiss Gadon's bribery claim as hearsay, gossip

MANILA, Philippines — The latest claims of bribery made by Larry Gadon, accuser of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, should not be believed due to his inconsistencies, according to two senators.

Gadon, over the weekend, claimed that he is "verifying information" that a businessman has offered to briber P200 million for each senator to acquit Sereno should her impeachment case reach the Senate.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, on Monday, laughed off Gadon's claims. "Don't believe in Gadon too much. All he has are hearsays, especially this," Lacson said.

"His testimony before the House of Representatives, all hearsay. This one is just gossip, maybe even triple hearsay," Lacson said in Filipino.

"In the first place, I don't know of anything speaking with the senators. Maybe this is his tactic to put the senators on the spot if and when the articles of impeachment will be transmitted to us," Lacson added.

READ: Gadon 'cannot remember' where he got information for impeachment case

The House of Representatives Committee on Justice is currently examining Gadon's verified complaint to determine where there is probable cause to impeach Sereno.

Those findings will be included in a committee report on the complaint.

Members of the House of Representatives will vote in plenary on whether to approve or reject the justice committee's report.

If at least a third of the members of the House — 98 of 292 members — vote to approve the committee report, this will then constitute the Articles of Impeachment and the chief justice is impeached.

The Articles of Impeachment will be transmitted to the Senate, which will try the case as an impeachment court.

Sen. Grace Poe, also in an ambush interview, also dismissed Gadon's claims.

"For me, that's not true. No one has come forward to me to talk [about the case] and I think, the public has been watching the case proceedings. They will see our every move," Poe said in Filipino.

"The case should reveal the truth, and its merits and if it has basis. This is not about money, and personally, I will fight anyone who will do this [offer bribe] because it is wrong," Poe added.

Poe also said that Gadon should reveal his source. "First of all, there were so many inconsistencies in his testimonies then he will add this claim," she added.

Gadon, under the grilling of the lawmakers, admitted that he had forgotten one of his sources after a journalist denied giving information to him.

The House panel will resume its probe on Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

RELATED: Sereno impeachment hearing highlights