DOJ to use 1st affidavits of Degamo slay suspects

MANILA, Philippines — Even if all the accused gunmen in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo have recanted their statements, the Department of Justice (DOJ) remains keen on using their first affidavits before the court while also pursuing a perjury case against the suspects.

“We will present that (recanted statements) in court because they swore on that affidavit, freely and willfully, in the presence of lawyers. And we will let the court decide,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters on Thursday.

Remulla stressed that the DOJ does not tolerate lies during legal procedures and would pursue accountability if the suspects are proven to have made false statements in their affidavits of recantation.

He also took exception to accusations of torture within the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention facility where all 11 suspects are being held.

“If they really were tortured, why are they refusing to be transferred out of NBI? Is that consistent with someone who was tortured in that place? No. It’s an afterthought, a cover-up,” he said.

“They just want to muddle the issue now that the case is very clear against them. And mind you it’s not just testimonial evidence that we have (against Teves), it’s real evidence to prove the case and it’s going to be proven sooner or later,” Remulla added.

DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano disclosed last week that the Camp Crame Custodial Center at the PNP headquarters is among the detention facilities the DOJ is eyeing for the transfer of the witnesses now that the NBI’s facility is up for demolition and since former DOJ undersecretary Reynante Orceo allegedly influenced some of the guards to get to the witnesses, prompting the recantations.

Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez said yesterday he has nothing personal against suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves who was slapped with another 60-day suspension by the House of Representatives.

Legislators cannot be above the law as they are lawmakers themselves, he stressed.

“We cannot allow anyone to ruin the integrity of Congress. There is nothing personal here. We are just doing what we have promised and we have sworn to do for our countrymen,” Romualdez noted in a speech before the adjournment of session Wednesday night.

He reiterated that “as members of this House, we must be accountable to the people at all times and perform our legislative mandates with utmost competence, efficiency, effectiveness, integrity and fidelity to the people’s welfare – nothing less. Let this be a reminder to all of us.”

Romualdez also noted that “as representatives of the people, we must conduct ourselves with dignity at all times to be worthy of the trust and confidence bestowed upon us by our people.”

According to him, Teves has to face the murder charges in connection with Degamo’s killing.

During the plenary session presided by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., the House adopted the recommendation of the committee on ethics and privileges, chaired by COOP-NATCCO Rep. Felimon Espares, to suspend Teves again for another 60 days.

The recommendation to forfeit all of Teves’ committee memberships was also approved by the House.

In a report, the committee gave assurance that it “carefully considered circumstances surrounding Rep. Teves’ action and has not rushed to judgment or resorted to the extreme measure in response to his transgressions.”

But the panel found that Teves’ “actions and all (their) consequences have compromised the integrity of the House of Representatives and constitute disorderly behavior warranting disciplinary action.”

Still in Timor-Leste

Remulla said in a press briefing that Teves is still in Timor-Leste, where the latter is asking the East Timor Supreme Court of Justice to reconsider the denial of his application for protective visa.

“His visa was extended due to petition filed before the Supreme Court of Timor-Leste asking for the asylum for it to be reconsidered properly,” Remulla said on Wednesday, noting that the lawmaker has engaged the legal services of a local firm.

Teves’ application for a protection visa asking for asylum before the Timorese government was denied earlier this month. But he refused to give up his plea and filed a motion for reconsideration, which was also denied.

His partymate, Nationalist People’s Coalition president Michael John Duavit, has called on him to come home, noting that Teves could have been ill advised to apply for political asylum.

“When you apply for political asylum, you are making the accusation that your country does not have the capacity to offer protection for those persecuted, your government is unwilling to provide protection for the persecuted and worst of all, it may also imply that your government is the perpetrator of such persecution. These accusations are so grave,” Duavit said. – Sheila Crisostomo