DOJ suspends 3 prosecutors cited by Duterte for corruption

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra has placed three prosecutors under a 60-day preventive suspension after they were identified by President Rodrigo Duterte as among government officials under investigation for alleged corruption.

Guevarra also earlier filed charges against Pasay City Prosecutor Benjamin Lanto, Inquest Prosecutor Clementine Villanueva, and Assistant Prosecutor Florencio dela Cruz before the DOJ Internal Affairs Unit for alleged gross neglect of duty, gross incompetence and inefficiency.

The three members of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) were suspended and now facing charges for the release of suspects involved in jewelry smuggling at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

On May 5, NAIA customs operations officer Lomonto Macabando and spouses Abraham and Bang-sa Mimbalawang were nabbed for attempted smuggling of P3 million worth of jewelry at the airport.

The three prosecutors were given 10 days to file their verified answers at the Internal Affairs Unit of the NPS.

Earlier, Guevarra announced that the DOJ launched a probe on the prosecutors after Duterte tagged the three as those under investigation for alleged corruption.

READ: Justice chief to probe prosecutors cited by Duterte for corruption  

The justice secretary said complaints were “likely” to be filed before Office of the Ombudsman, and the DOJ’s internal investigation focus on the administrative aspect of the case. /ee