Prosecutors to tackle problems on bribery

Alarmed over incidents linking some of their colleagues to bribery cases, the Manila Prosecutors’ League will convene to address the problem.

Elaine Cerezo, assistant chief inquest of the Manila Prosecutor’s Office said the officers and members of the league will meet to discuss and address issues like bribery charges against Pedro Salanga and Constancio Velasco, both assistant prosecutors assigned in Manila.

"We are worried with the way things are going. Two of our fiscals have been linked to bribery. We must really address it," Cerezo told The STAR in an interview.

Cerezo expressed apprehension that their office might lose credibility and the trust of the general public if incidents of alleged bribery and extortion continue to haunt their organization.

Records showed that NBI agents arrested Salanga, a resident of 220 8th Avenue, Caloocan City, while receiving P10,000 cash from lawyer Joel Ferer allegedly in exchange for a favorable decision on a case he was handling. Salanga allegedly arranged the "pay-off" with Ferer through the telephone.

Unknown to Salanga, Ferer sought the help of the NBI-National Capital Region, which set an entrapment leading to the arrest of the prosecutor.

Velasco, a resident of E-03 Bahay Caridad 3, Bayani St., Doña Imelda, Quezon City, was arrested last Nov. 10 by NBI agents in an entrapment operation in Quiapo, Manila.

Reports had it that Velasco demanded P5,000 from complainant Lourdes Pe Benito supposedly in exchange for the filing of a criminal complaint in court.

"It pains us to file charges against one of our colleagues, but there’s nothing we can do. Trabaho lang (We’re just doing our jobs)," Cerezo said. — Cecille Suerte Felipe