'Detained Legacy scam brains holding political caucuses in condo'

MANILA, Philippines - The brains behind the multi-billion-peso Legacy group financial scam is “holding political caucuses in a condominium suite,” courtesy of Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, a senior lawmaker disclosed yesterday.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman warned the Department of Justice (DOJ) chief against leaving her office hastily, in light of the Supreme Court ruling on appointed officials seeking elective office, because she still has “unfinished business” regarding the case of Eduardo de los Angeles.

“While contemporary American pyramiding culprit Bernard Madoff is now serving a prison term, De los Angeles is holding political caucuses in the comfort of a condominium suite,” the Bicolano congressman revealed.

“De los Angeles is still calling the shots and is very much involved in politics. He’s calling all his leaders, political wards there in the suite,” Lagman told The STAR.

Lagman cited the case of a local bet in Sto. Domingo who announced over the radio that De los Angeles had endorsed him.

Devanadera is running for congresswoman in Quezon province.

Lagman, a provincemate of De los Angeles, who once served as mayor of Sto. Domingo in Albay, noted that Devanadera has yet to answer his Feb. 11 letter on why the prime suspect, who duped thousands in the pre-need industry, is not confined in a prison cell.

“Devanadera’s persistent refusal to formally answer the query smacks of apparent complicity in the improvident discharge of De los Angeles from the St. Luke’s Medical Center and his transfer to the nearby Cathedral Heights Complex,” he said.

The administration lawmaker learned from reliable sources that De los Angeles is at Room 1703 of the Cathedral Heights Complex.

Before leaving her post, Lagman said Devandera must answer why the DOJ prosecutors failed to successfully oppose the transfer of De los Angeles from his hospital bed to a condominium suite, and bring him instead to a detention cell.

“Why does it take so long for DOJ prosecutors to finish the preliminary investigation of the many criminal complaints against De los Angeles, including a string of non-bailable syndicated estafa cases? And why are pending warrants of arrest against de los Angeles not served up to now?” Lagman asked.

He lamented that “after billions of pesos have been marauded from Legacy banks and pre-need establishments, and countless investors victimized, De los Angeles continues to elude and mock justice under the very noses of the DOJ officials.”

“This is a scam after a scam,” Lagman said.