Aguirre insists inmates bribed to recant testimony

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II stood firm on his claim that high-value inmates who tagged Sen. Leila de Lima in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) were offered P100 million to recant their testimonies against her.

“The bribe (offer) is true,” he told reporters in an ambush interview, addressing critics who questioned the authenticity of the story.

Aguirre said probers of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have gathered evidence, including records of the supposed mobile phone used for the bribe offer.

He earlier tagged former senator Jamby Madrigal and Biñan City, Laguna Rep. Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat behind the alleged offer that was coursed through Lalaine Martinez, wife of inmate Noel Martinez.

Madrigal and Naguiat have denied the allegation.

Aguirre said the offer was made specifically to the eight inmates who tagged De Lima in the illegal drug trade in NBP and are currently being held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) custodial center in Camp Aguinaldo.

He also claimed that the bribery attempt was “tampering of the highest level” and vowed to run after those behind it. 

Aguirre yesterday again insisted on the ambush attempt on Mrs. Martinez.

He expressed dismay over critics who accused him of inventing the story even after he presented proof, including the victim’s vehicle with windshield damaged by a bullet.

“You all saw the vehicle with the gunshot and she also had gunshot wound. It doesn’t mean that if there’s no police report, it’s automatically not true. You’re being illogical,” Aguirre told reporters.

Aguirre said he ordered the NBI to probe the incident as he revealed that Mrs. Martinez was involved in the attempt to bribe high-profile inmates with P100 million to recant their testimonies against De Lima.

“The claim of an ambush by Lalaine Madrigal-Martinez is a serious matter. As justice secretary, I take such report, especially by the supposed victim, seriously. I will be remiss in my duty if I did not take it seriously ... I would rather be serious than lax in the discharge of my functions,” he stressed.

Not Naguiat

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has cleared Naguiat over the allegations of bribery.

Alvarez said he invited Naguiat and Aguirre on Tuesday to hear their sides of the allegations, considering it a sensitive issue.

He said he examined the voice recording of the woman who supposedly called the detention cell of the high-profile inmates and said it was not Naguiat’s voice. – With Robertzon Ramirez