Let NBI probe extortion case vs NFA exec – Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is leaving it up to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe allegations of extortion against National Food Authority (NFA) chief Arthur Juan.

“At this point it would be best to leave it to the investigators...Let’s wait for the results. Saying that one has evidence to show is different from truly presenting evidence to the investigators,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday.

Juan and his assistant Patricia Galang were accused of extorting P15 million from Jomerito “Jojo” Soliman, a rice trader that the NFA charged with profiteering and violations of NFA rules. Police raided Soliman’s warehouse in Bulacan last month.

Valte said Soliman should be able to prove that the account where he supposedly deposited the money extorted by the two NFA officials belonged or are connected with them.

“It’s not sufficient to have a deposit slip,” she said, adding investigators could verify if the bank documents and other supposed evidence were credible.

Valte said it would also be up to Juan to refute the allegations against him and present his own evidence.

Counter affidavits

NBI director Virgilio Mendez said the agency is waiting for the counter affidavits of the two NFA officials.

Juan and Galang denied Soliman’s allegations, adding that it was the latter’s way of getting back at them for the reforms they instituted at the NFA.

Juan said the allegations were baseless and mere fabrications. “In my service before the military and private sector I never had a case in my life,” he said.

“I did not apply for this job, I was chosen and for delicadeza purposes I filed my courtesy resignation,” he added.

Juan likewise denied owning the cell phone that Soliman said he used to send him text messages and give instructions where to deposit the money.

He also denied knowing the persons into whose accounts Soliman allegedly deposited the P10 million.

He said he only met Galang on June 30, or 10 days before the alleged exchange of money took place.

Galang also denied the allegations against her, adding that she only met Juan when she became his special assistant on June 30.

The two officials said that they would file perjury charges against Soliman and cooperate with the NBI investigation.