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Ombudsman: 10 DOJ prosecutors under probe

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 01/14/2009 5:49 PM

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Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said on Wednesday that some prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) are under investigation for alleged involvement in case fixing.

Gutierrez said around 10 prosecutors are currently being investigated. She said however that she cannot disclose further details.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez when told of Gutierrez’s statements denied the existence of case fixing in his department.

"I haven't seen any fixer here, nobody can fix me," said Gonzalez.

He also said that he did not know that the Ombudsman is investigating 10 of his prosecutors for alleged case-fixing.

Gutierrez also reiterated that a separate probe would be done by her office on the allegations of bribery and case-fixing on the “Alabang Boys” drug case.

She said her office will get into the bottom of the “Alabang Boys” bribery controversy and case-fixing issues and prosecute those who are liable.

Gutierrez asked DOJ prosecutors however not to take a mass leave because, she said, they are needed. Gutierrez said the other prosecutors should just express their sentiment but not go on sympathy leave.

She also asked the public to continue to trust the justice department.

Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni had earlier said that their investigation will focus on DOJ and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) officials who are under suspicion of bribery.

Jalandoni said the Office of the Ombudsman conducted its own probe after receiving letters and text messages about the alleged bribery and because of the sensitivity of the positions of the personalities involved.

He added that the Office of the Ombudsman will file charges before the Sandiganbayan if it finds any evidence linking DOJ and PDEA officials to any bribe attempt.

PDEA officials earlier said that up to P50 million in bribes were offered to state prosecutors handling the case of the Alabang Boys Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph and Joseph Tecson.

The Office of the Ombudsman meanwhile said it is making its own efforts to be more transparent in their cases amidst questions on their credibility as well.

Gutierrez asked the public to trust the Ombudsman’s office. She said resents always being referred to as the First Gentleman’s classmate and insisted that she is the Ombudsman of the people and "just trust us" she said. With reports from  Marieton Pacheco and Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News