Ex-Marcos lawyer arrested for bribing case witness

A former lawyer of Imelda Marcos was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Tuesday for allegedly bribing a witness to change his testimony against two clients facing drug charges.

Lawyer Oliver Lozano, who also represented an Abu Sayyaf leader and failed in two senatorial election bids, was caught in an entrapment operation right inside Camp Crame after offering P15,000 to P01 Anjo Villanueva. The police officer was responsible for the arrest of suspected drug dealers Jay de la Cuesta and Benjie Lim, two of Lozano’s clients.

PDEA Director General Anselmo Avenido described Lozano’s arrest as "the highest degree of corruption committed by a man in the legal profession."

Lozano could not be interviewed yesterday. He was rushed to the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City for hypertension after undergoing custodial questioning at the PDEA office in Camp Crame Tuesday night.

In his affidavit, Villanueva said he had been scheduled to testify yesterday in the drug case involving Lozano’s clients when the lawyer contacted him.

The police officer claimed Lozano hinted at a possible fix through a series of text messages.

Villanueva added that Lozano had invited him to a meeting outside Camp Crame, but was able to convince the lawyer to meet at the former Narcotics building inside the camp.

Unknown to Lozano, Villanueva had already reported the matter to Avenido, who ordered the setting up of surveillance equipment for an entrapment operation inside the building.

When they met, Lozano handed to the police officer P15,000.

"Baguhin mo na lang ang testimoniya mo at para sa iyo na ito, (Just change your testimony and this is yours)," Villanueva quoted Lozano as saying as he handed the money.

PDEA agents quickly moved in and arrested the lawyer.

A complaint of violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code, or the Corruption of Public Officials, is being prepared against Lozano.

Avenido said he has also instructed his legal team to study disbarment charges against the lawyer.

"He took an oath as lawyer and set a bad example," the PDEA chief said. – With Matthew Estabillo