DOJ told to initiate case vs Bangayan

By: Maila Ager - 10 years ago

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.