Palace says it’s better to settle Maguindanao bribery issue before Ombudsman

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Accusations of bribery are best settled before the Office of the Ombudsman, Malacañang said Wednesday of the graft case filed against Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III.

“This is, rather, a good opportunity for Usec. Baraan to clear his name—if he steadfastly claims that these are all lies—and let the persons who are accusing him be able to prove their claim as well as Usec. Baraan, who claims innocence, can also prove his innocence,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told Palace reporters.

Media reports said Baraan and his former secretary Paula Garcia were accused of graft for case-fixing a carnapping charge.

Lacierda said filing a case before the Ombudsman was better than calling for an independent probe since it “abbreviates” and speeds up the process.

“But whether there was an internal probe or not, darating at darating din naman talaga ‘yon sa Ombudsman (that will eventually end up at the Ombudsman),” he said.

Baraan was earlier also accused of receiving bribes in connection of the Maguindanao massacre case. One of the witnesses, Lakmodin Saliao, said P50 million was given to Baraan and the Department of Justice panel of prosecutors to compromise the Maguindanao massacre trial.

Last week, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into such accusations.