De Lima still backs embattled BuCor head

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima stood by the head of the Bureau of Corrections who has been slapped with a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for not paying contractual obligations in connection with the biometrics clearance system of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Based on the complaint, BuCor OIC Rafael Marcos Ragos, also the NBI deputy director for comptrollership, was accused of deliberately withholding payment of at least P14 million (net of withholding taxes) for the services rendered by Realtime Data Management Services Inc. (RDMSI) to NBI from July to September this year.

The firm, through its vice president for external affairs Atty. Orlando Dizon, filed the complaint against Ragos for violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards and RA 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act last December 13.

De Lima said she is not affected by the case filed against Ragos.

She told reporters Thursday that she has full trust and confidence over Ragos.

Ragos was appointed OIC BuCor chief following the grenade throwing incident a few months back replacing Manuel Co who is the current Administrator of the Board of Pardons and Parole.