Aquino denies sending emissary to Cuevas

President Benigno S. Aquino III. EDWIN BACASMAS

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday denied sending anyone to retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas to make an offer in exchange for his dropping out as head of the defense at Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment trial.

The President not only issued the denial but also stressed that he had nothing more to say on the matter.

“Frankly, this issue is not worthy of any comment,” he told reporters after attending the Philippine Information Agency’s 25th anniversary celebration in its office in Quezon City.

Mr. Aquino was reacting to an Inquirer report quoting Cuevas as claiming that Malacañang had sent an emissary to ask him to quit as Corona’s chief defense lawyer in exchange for the dropping of charges against Magtanggol Gatdula, the sacked director of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Both Cuevas and Gatdula are members of the influential religious group, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

No connection

Mr. Aquino ordered the replacement of Gatdula on the recommendation of a Department of Justice fact-finding body, which found him involved in the kidnapping of and extortion on a Japanese national.

Reporters on Wednesday asked the President if the INC had lobbied for Gatdula.

He did not directly answer the question, only saying that there was “no connection” between the case of Gatdula and the impeachment trial.

Mr. Aquino also said Gatdula’s case was now under preliminary investigation, where the latter “can defend himself.”

“On my [part], I have lost my trust and confidence in the person,” he said of Gatdula.

What evidence shows

Asked if the INC had anything to do with the Gatdula case, the President said: “Justice here is not based on the desires of any person or group of persons. Justice has to be driven by what the evidence shows us, and that is what we’re trying to do here.”

In response to a question about his relationship with the INC, he said it was “OK” and “good.”

“We’re talking with each other,” he said.

Asked why it seemed that the INC was involved in the Gatdula case, Mr. Aquino said his lawyers would point out that the question was a conclusion although no facts had yet been stated.

“So I think that is just an opinion rather than a fact,” he said.

Originally posted at 02:22 pm | Wednesday, February 01,  2012