De Lima: Corruption allegation ‘rubbish’

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/ NOY MORCOSO III

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday called “rubbish” the allegation that she is receiving P5 million monthly allowances from Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

Jerramy Joson, who previously accused Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan and several other prosecutors handling the Maguindanao massacre case of receiving bribe money from the Ampatuan, has recanted her statement and then accused Mangudadatu and lawyers Nena Santos and Gemma Oquendo of fabricating the allegations.

Mangudadatu filed perjury and libel cases against her, while Joson filed a serious illegal detention case against Mangudadatu, Santos, Oquendo and eight others.

READ: De Lima accused of receiving P5 million monthly from Mangudadatu
Joson, in her complaint mentioned that Mangudadatu and Santos had claimed that De Lima is on their side because the Justice Secretary is Santos’ good friend and that she receives P5 million monthly from Mangudadatu.

“Rubbish! That woman has done so much harm already to the institution,” de Lima said in a text message.

De Lima has already ordered an investigation on Joson.

READ: De Lima on bribery witness: What is she up to?
“We will find out who exactly this woman is, what is she up to and who is/are behind her. I will not allow anyone or anything to destroy our institution and the Maguindanao massacre case,” she said. IDL