De Lima orders review of Saliao’s status as gov’t witness
Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Thursday ordered a review of the status of Lakmodin Saliao, one of the government’s witnesses in the Maguindanao massacre, following his revelations of bribes allegedly received by government prosecutors.
De Lima said Saliao might have violated several conditions set by the WPP when he granted media interviews without first seeking official clearance from the WPP or the Department of Justice.
“I will ask the WPP to give me a report and proper recommendation with respect to that,” De Lima told reporters.
Saliao, who is under the physical custody of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, accused Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan of receiving P20 million bribe money from the Ampatuans.
Saliao added that the panel of prosecutors also received certain amounts from the family of the principal accused in what was considered the worst election related violence where 58 people were killed including 32 journalists.
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