DOJ orders probe of P50-M bribe try

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday to conduct an investigation of a reported bribery attempt on government prosecutors in exchange for the release of three drug trafficking suspects who are scions of prominent families.

“The bribery or bribery attempt, alleged or actual, will undermine the government’s war against illegal drugs. Moreover, these respondents are scions of prominent families. This government shall not rest until the war on drugs is won and the drug pushers and peddlers, big and small, along with anyone who aids or abets their nefarious activities, are brought to justice,” said Gonzalez in his one-page memo addressed to NBI Director Nestor Mantaring.

Gonzalez also ordered Mantaring to submit to his office a report of the investigation’s findings within three days of receiving the order.

Gonzalez also said that all DOJ resolutions pertaining to the criminal complaint against Joseph Ramirez Tecson, Jorge Giordano Joseph and Richard Santos Brodette shall not be released without his approval pursuant to Department Circular 46, which places all drug cases under mandatory automatic review.

The STAR earlier reported that at least P50 million was allegedly offered to DOJ to release the three suspects, all from prominent families, who were arrested during buy-bust operations last September.

Joseph is a son of popular radio personality Johnny Midnight while Tecson is a known event organizer whose family bids for infrastructure projects from the government.        – Mike Frialde