High-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian, the alleged collector of drug money of Sen. Leila de Lima in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), no longer needs to testify in the House of Representatives’ inquiry on the proliferation of illegal drugs in the national penitentiary.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II announced this yesterday after Sebastian refused to tell all on his alleged role in the drug trade in NBP, where he is supposedly the “most powerful, most feared” leader.
According to Aguirre, was told that Sebastian only wants to limit his testimony to anomaly in food supply in NBP. "I rejected it because he will not speak the entire truth," he said in a press conference.
Aguirre also explained that there is no need for Sebastian to testify because the testimonies of the other inmates were already clear.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) chief also explained that the House committee on justice does not have to issue a subpoena on Sebastian because, as an inmate, his political rights are suspended.
Aguirre, however, clarified that Sebastian could still decide to voluntarily appear in the House inquiry, but stressed that the leader of the Presidio side at the maximum security compound in NBP might not enjoy the same immunity like the other inmates.
Aguirre said the DOJ instead would present several other witnesses who could corroborate the earlier testimonies of the inmates led by robbery and carjacking convict Herbert Colanggo.
He said De Lima’s former close-in security aide Joenel Sanchez, who was mentioned in previous testimonies, could be among the next witnesses.
The DOJ chief also hinted that former Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayu, who was also implicated in the controversy, has sent feelers to the DOJ and might cooperate with the probe.
Source: Philippine Star
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