JUSTICE Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III is looking at possible legal actions against Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, his lawyer Nena Santos and other names mentioned by Jerramy Joson, the woman who admitted that the notebook containing the names of the Department of Justice officials who received money from the Ampatuans was fabricated.
“All options are now being carefully studied. But let me say this: I cannot forgive Nena Santos and her cohorts. They will be made to answer for their madness,” Baraan said in a text message to reporters Monday.
In her five-page affidavit, Jerramy T. Joson said that she was merely used by Santos, Mangudadatu and Atty. Gemma Oquendo to destroy the person of and file graft charges against Justice Baraan, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon and other Justice department officials who handled the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case.
Joson claimed that she was ordered by the three to make it appear that she obtained a “notebook” from Jennylyn Manaloto, wife Atty. Arnel Manaloto, one of the counsels of the Ampatuans. The notebook purportedly contains the names of those who received money from the Ampatuans.
But Joson said there was no truth about the contents of the “notebook” and the same was merely “concocted” by the camp of Santos and Mangudadatu.
She said she was only forced to make the accusations because the three had helped her in her case against Manaloto.
Baraan said he will meet with Atty. Harry Roque, (counsel for some of the victims in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre), Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon and the Ampatuan panel of public prosecutors to discuss their legal moves.
Baraan said they are including Mangudadatu because he figured prominently in the affidavit of Joson.
Joson, in her affidavit, said she first met the governor at a restaurant in Angeles City where he paid her lawyer P100,000 as acceptance fee.
Santos already denied having knowledge of the notebook. AC