‘Some files in Luy’s hard drive deleted, revised’

MANILA, Philippines - An expert witness during yesterday’s hearing for the bail petition of detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada at the Sandiganbayan has testified that certain files were deleted and revised in the hard drive of whistle-blower Benhur Luy.

The hard drive allegedly contained documents showing transactions of legislators and other individuals with accused Janet Lim-Napoles regarding her pork barrel schemes.

The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division then ordered computer forensic examiner Dario Sabilano of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division to produce a report or list of the files in Luy’s hard drive that were deleted or changed.

Sabilano is a computer engineer and a special agent of the NBI since 2003. He underwent forensic examination training and is a certified technical hacker.

Asked by the court if he can determine changes in the files contained in the hard drive, Sabilano replied, “It can be determined. It can be identified. I just have to look at it one by one.”

The court said Sabilano should check the files entered starting June 5, 2014.

Estrada, Sens. Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. were charged with plunder before the Sandiganbayan last June 6, 2014.

Estrada’s camp earlier filed a motion for production asking for all the documents and other exhibits that the prosecution intends to present so he can better prepare for his defense.

Included in his motion is for the production of Luy’s hard drive.