De Lima aide Sanchez, PDEA exec to testify in Bilibid probe

Presidential Security Group (PSG) member Jonel Sanchez and Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency official Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/ ARNOLD ALMACEN

Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency official Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino and Presidential Security Group (PSG) member Jonel Sanchez are set to testify in the House of Representatives inquiry into the alleged drug trade at the Bilibid implicating Senator Leila De Lima.

During the resumption for the third day of the House justice committee inquiry on Thursday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Marcelino may be allowed to testify because the hearing of his case for drugs is pending before the court.

After the DOJ dismissed the charges, the department under Aguirre’s term acted on an appeal by the Philippine National Police and found basis to charge Marcelino and Chinese national Yan Yi Shou with possession of dangerous drugs.

“Wala namang nagbabawal ‘pag may case involving witnesses (The witnesses are not barred from testifying even they have pending cases),” Aguirre said.

Aguirre added that Sanchez would also testify to air his side on allegations by Bilibid inmates who testified that Sanchez was De Lima’s alleged bagman for the drug money. On Wednesday, Aguirre said that Sanchez testimony details how he saw the De Lima’s alleged sex video on the phone of her driver and alleged lover Ronnie Dayan.

READ: Colangco: Security aide Sanchez is De Lima’s bagman

Aguirre then asked the House to grant immunity, in so far as the hearing is concerned, to Marcelino and other witnesses Engelberto Durano and Jerry Valeroso.

Marcelino was nabbed on January 21 in a raid on a shabu laboratory in Sta. Cruz, Manila, although he claimed he was doing surveillance work.

READ: Marcelino: I wasn’t coerced to testify against De Lima

The committee is debating whether or not to grant Marcelino immunity from suit in so far as the hearing is concerned. IDL/rga