DOJ to tap Ombudsman to act on Ragos affidavit

Rafael Ragos. (Photo by DEMPSEY REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said the affidavit of Rafael Ragos recanting his allegations against detained Senator Leila De Lima will be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for appropriate action.

In his affidavit, Ragos said he was interrogated and coerced “to admit something that did not happen.”

Ragos, in his previous testimonies, said he delivered a total of P10-million from Bilibid drug transactions to the senator which her aide Ronnie Dayan has received.

Ragos mentioned certain officials of the Department of Justice as among those who coerced him.

“Under the circumstances, where the DOJ is prosecuting the cases against Senator de Lima, and certain DOJ officials are specifically mentioned in Mr, Ragos’ affidavit of retraction, it will be to everyone’s interest that any inquiry into the truthfulness of Mr. Ragos’ recent allegations be conducted by an independent agency with jurisdiction to do it, specifically the Office of the Ombudsman,” Guevarra told reporters.

Guevarra said they will endorse Ragos’ affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman once the DOJ has officially received its copy.

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