Mangudadatu files perjury, libel complaint vs witness in bribe row

MAGUINDANAO Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu on Tuesday filed a criminal complaint against a witness who accused him of fabricating evidence to pursue bribery allegation against officials of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Ampatuans.

In a 14-page complaint, Mangudadatu accused Jerramy Joson of perjury and libel.

Joson, in her earlier statement, accused Undersecretary Francisco “Toti” Baraan and several prosecutors of receiving millions from the Ampatuans, who are the principal accused in the 2009 massacre where 58 people were killed.

In recanting her accusations, Joson said the “notebook” allegedly containing the names of Baraan and other justices officials were fabricated by Mangudadatu and his lawyer Atty. Nena Santos.

“These malicious imputations of respondent have caused me so much physical suffering, mental anguish, fright, serious anxiety, besmirched reputation, wounded feelings, moral shock and social humiliation after so much publicity of the accusations and malicious imputations of the respondent,” the governor alleged in his complaint.

He said Joson should also be held liable for perjury, saying the witness made the false statements “willfully and deliberately” in her affidavit.

While he admitted giving Joson P300,000, Mangudadatu said it was upon her request for help.

He said Joson also volunteered the “notebook,” which she allegedly took from an Ampatuan lawyer. AC