Noy cancels surprise visit to Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino cancelled at the last minute yesterday his surprise visit to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, after the inspection was compromised due to an alleged leak from a Department of Justice (DOJ) source.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda confirmed to Palace reporters the plan made several weeks ago but which had not pushed through because of the busy presidential schedule.

Lacierda said he was also surprised by the surprise visit and was about to board the chopper when the visit was cancelled “precisely because, I think, the element of surprise was negated.”

The NBP visit by Aquino was supposed to be a surprise inspection so that Malacañang officials would catch the irregularities in the prison compound.

Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Jose Diokno was forced to resign, while several current and previous NBP officials are facing administrative charges for alleged violations of prison rules and providing special privileges to wealthy and influential prisoners.

Lacierda said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima knew of the plan.

“My understanding is that Secretary de Lima was aware of it.”

This was not the first time information was leaked at the DOJ. The first was the result of the investigation on the August 2010 Luneta hostage crisis and the most recent was the resignation letter of BuCor director Diokno that was submitted to Aquino.

De Lima headed the five-man incident investigation and review committee that investigated the bungled hostage rescue operations, while BuCor is under DOJ supervision.

Mia Gonzalez, president of the Malacañang Press Corps, informed reporters about the cancellation of the ocular inspection through text message. She coordinates coverage of the President with Lacierda and Communications Group Assistant Secretary Rey Marfil.

“The President’s surprise visit to NBP has been cancelled. Asec. Rey said we were supposed to be informed about the inspection just before the President’s arrival,” she said.

De Lima yesterday denied that she leaked the information on Aquino’s supposed surprise inspection of the NBP, which reportedly prompted him to cancel the trip.

“I don’t think that’s true. Check it out first. Someone may have just fabricated a story,” she told reporters.

De Lima stood by her explanation that Aquino called off the inspection because he was not feeling well.

She even advised reporters in DOJ to double check reports, alleging that “someone is probably trying to instigate a fight.”

But Lacierda reportedly clarified that the President was not sick and he only opted to cancel the visit since the “element of surprise was negated” since “it might have leaked out somewhere.”    – With Marvin Sy, Aie Balagtas See