Leila de Lima and Sandra Cam. Inquirer and INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTOS
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima rebutted claim of Sandra Cam, President of the Whistleblowers Association of the Philippines that she did nothing about the escape of the Reyes brothers who were accused of having a hand in the death of broadcaster Doc Gerry Ortega.
Cam told Radyo Inquirer 990 AM that de Lima went angry when Cam made the expose asking her why is she meddling.
“Walang nangyari. Walang naging aksyon si de Lima dito (Nothing happened, de Lima did not act on it),” she said.
But de Lima said “that is not true.”
“I immediately directed the BI (Bureau of Immigration) to look into that,” de Lima said.
READ: What went before: The Reyes brothers
Former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes managed to sneak out of the country last March 18, 2012 aboard Cebu Pacific Flight 5j751 bound for Vietnam. He allegedly used a passport with the name “Joseph Lim Pe.” The passport was issued only last February 3, 2012. He escaped with his brother Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes.
READ: 2 immigration workers sacked over Reyes brothers’ escape
The BI employees, de Lima said, have been dismissed from service.
The dismissal from service was in 2013.
The BI issued separate decisions against Rogelio Udarbe Jr., Administrative Aide III and Wesley Gutierrez, Security Guard I.
Based on the decision, Udarbe is liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service while Gutierrez was found liable for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. Both Udarbe and Gutierrez’ retirement benefits, except for accrued leave credits, were forfeited; his civil service eligibility was ordered cancelled; he was ordered perpetually disqualified from holding public office; and barred from taking civil service examinations.
The bureau said that Udarbe assisted the brothers’ departure from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III for Vietnam while Gutierrez cleared the former governor for departure. Tetch Torres-Tupas/RAM
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