Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
A former senator and an incumbent congressman from Laguna, both from the Liberal Party, offered a P100-million bribe to high-profile inmates to recant their testimony against Senator Leila de Lima.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the offer was made to get sympathy in time for the EDSA People Power anniversary by making it appear that De Lima was a victim of false accusations.
READ: Witnesses vs De Lima offered P100M to recant testimonies–Aguirre
“The inmates were told that they have to recant before Feb. 25…They wanted to use this to attract more people for the EDSA anniversary and do another people power,” Aguirre told reporters in an ambush interview during the launching of the GoJust program of the European Union and the Philippines’ Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC).
“Well funded and evidently without scruples,” Aguirre said.
Aguirre added that aside from the money offer, the inmates were offered their freedom.
Aguirre said the offer was first made on Wednesday through a phone call using the common mobile phone in the area.
It was placed in speaker mode to be heard by the eight inmates, Aguirre said.
“Then, this morning, the offer was repeated but again rejected by the inmates,” he added.
The second attempt was made through former police officer and convicted kidnapper Clarence Dongail.
“This is tampering of the highest order! We are taking the matter very seriously and we will go after those who are responsible,” Aguirre said adding that “we are going to bring a complaint against them because that is illegal, immoral.” RAM/rga