DOJ official displayed 'unusual' interest in drug case--Gonzalez
by ARIES RUFO, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 01/05/2009 6:25 PM
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Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor expressed “unusual” interest in the illegal drugs case involving scions of rich families arrested last September 20 during sting operations in Quezon City and Ayala Alabang, raising questions about his motives.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Raul Gonzalez made this observation on Monday, adding he finds it "irregular" for Blancaflor’s office to prepare a “draft order” for the justice secretary's signature which would have caused the release of the suspects on December 23.
“While it is not illegal per se, I think it’s irregular,” Gonzalez replied, when asked about the propriety of preparing a draft order for the release of drug suspects Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, and Joseph Tecson, and transmitting it to his office for his signing.
Gonzalez noted that Blancaflor showed “unusual” special interest in the drug case, adding that it was beyond Blancaflor’s authority to cause the drafting of the release order of the drug suspects.
He earlier revealed that before the Christmas break, a secretary of Blancaflor, identified as Janet Payoyo, placed on his desk the draft release order for his signature.
This incident was admitted by Blancaflor himself.
Gonzalez did not sign the draft order.
“This was beyond the ambit of his work. It’s not his job to make the order and have it signed by me,” Gonzalez told reporters.
The DOJ chief said Blancaflor may be held administratively liable for his actions although this depends on the result of the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
No intercession?
Meanwhile, Blancaflor today stressed that he did not intercede on behalf of the drug suspects when he called up the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) inquiring why they had not yet been released despite a DOJ resolution dismissing the case.
“In the same manner, I also make calls to inquire on cases involving media killings, human trafficking, and terrorism,” he said. “I am not a coddler of drug syndicate.”
He said he is willing to undergo a lie detector test and submit himself to any inquiry.
“I challenge anyone who is dragging me into the controversy or insinuating that I have anything to do with the drug case to undergo a polygraph test with me. I did not do anything wrong and I willingly submit to any form of investigation,” he added.
Zuño defends dismissal
Blancaflor got a defender in Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, who supported the resolution dismissing the drug case against the “Alabang Boys.”
Zuño said that the arrest made by PDEA agents was illegal because it was not a valid warrantless arrest as the suspects were nabbed indiscriminately.
Zuño noted that the buy-bust money was only P600 but was mixed with fake money to make it appear that the amount of transaction exceeded P100,000.
He said that the subsequent arrest and search of respondent Brodett’s car without any warrant was illegal.
“The car’s rear compartment was forcibly searched. Therefore, any object seized during the search is inadmissible for having been unlawfully obtained,” he said.
Zuño also noted that the PDEA extracted an admission and confession from respondent Joseph was without the assistance of a counsel.
Rebuffed
Blancaflor and Zuño, however, got a rebuff from Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said no resolution yet has been issued dismissing the drug charges against the suspects.
“I have a standing memorandum circular enjoining prosecutors from releasing resolution for dismissal of cases involving drugs and smuggling,” he said. “They should get my imprimatur first before releasing it.”
He was referring to an alleged leaked resolution dated December 2 that quashed the charges against the so-called “Alabang boys.”
This leaked resolution, he said, is not valid since it did not have his signature.
