Lawyer: I did not give money used in bribe try

After having been named as the alleged source of the money confiscated from a policewoman who tried to bribe operatives of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group, lawyer Gines Abellana yesterday broke his silence and threatened to sue the policemen who implicated his name.

Abellana, in an interview over dyLA, vowed to file a case for inducement or instigation and libel against Supt. Marvin Sanchez and PO2s Roehl Patalinghug and Armando Labora for implicating him in a bribery attempt allegedly committed by PO1 Blaire Quezon.

The three police officers named Abellana in their affidavit as the alleged source of the P50,000 confiscated from Quezon, who they arrested during an entrapment on Monday.

Quezon was arrested for allegedly bribing police officers to downgrade the case of suspected drug pusher Cleofe Racaza whom the elements of the anti-illegal drugs group arrested in Tangke, Talisay last December 7.

Quezon later claimed she was just asked by Abellana, also her lawyer in her annulment case, to negotiate on behalf of Racaza.

Abellana admitted having asked Quezon to talk with RAIDSOTG members about the case but he denied being the source of the money. He however alleged that the RAIDSOTG members insinuated to his client, Racaza, that she could be freed in exchange of money.

Abellana said he told Racaza to try it so that she could get out from jail, then he asked Quezon, being a police officer herself, to inquire about the alleged offer for settlement of the case in exchange of money.

Quezon visited RAIDSOTG office last Friday but she was told that the office was bent on filing charges against Racaza. However, RAIDSOTG members allegedly called Quezon last Monday that they are already willing to settle.

Abellana said that Racaza’s siblings facilitated for the settlement and produced the money but Quezon was arrested for direct bribery. “Pataka lang na sila’g yawyaw, silay gustong mangwarta unya ang akong kliyente pasanginlan,” Abellana said over dyLA.

As this developed, some members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines wanted an investigation be conducted by their organization to ferret out the truth.

IBP-Cebu City chapter president Briccio Boholst however said that without a formal complaint, an investigation cannot be done, adding that it would be useless for the IBP to investigate because the police officers’ affidavit has no probative value as these are deemed hearsay.

Boholst said the three police officers did not actually see Abellana giving the money to Quezon, and that the affidavit was only based on the claim of Quezon.

If there is no complaint, Quezon can always deny her claim against Abellana anytime, said Boholst.

Former IBP president Democrito Barcenas, on the other hand, was very vocal in demanding an investigation into the case, and even vowed to bring this issue up during the next IBP meeting on Tuesday. — Fred P. Languido/RAE