DOJ told to initiate case vs Bangayan

Senator Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr. Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr. believes there is now enough   basis to file smuggling charges against Davidson Bangayan also reportedly known as “David Tan” and his cohorts.

Marcos said  the  Department of  Justice  (DOJ) can initiate the filing of the  case   without waiting for the  recommendation of the Senate committee on agriculture, which is investigating  the rampant  rice smuggling in the  country.

“Kung ako ang tatanungin, oo. Sa palagay ko oo (If you ask me, yes. I think yes),” he said when asked if  Bangayan  could  now be charged for alleged smuggling  based on  the evidence  presented   during the committee hearings.

“Palagay ko  kitang kita naman kung ano ang mga nangyayari at  ang komite  ay nakatanggap na ng napakaraming ebidensya  and I’m sure the recommendation  of the committee…will be to file cases not only (against)  David Tan ( but  also against his  cohorts)…I’m  very sure that the recommendations will be to  file cases,” he said.

But even without the recommendation of the committee, Marcos said the  DOJ could  pursue the cases  against  Bangayan et al.

“I don’t know kung ano nagpapabagal sa galaw ng DOJ (what slowing down the DOJ). I’m sure binubuo lang nila yung kaso para pasampa ng kaso ay maganda ang magiging resulta (they are just preparing the case so when  they file it , the result will be good. ) The prosecution will be strong and the case will be strong so we really put these people out of business,” the senator pointed out.

He said the committee could continue its investigation even after the cases are filed in court.

The committee has so far recommended the filing of perjury  case against  Bangayan  for allegedly lying before the body when  he insisted   that he was  not the same David Tan allegedly involved in rice smuggling.

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