Zuño suspended for junking Alabang Boys drug trafficking case

MANILA, Philippines - The Presidential Anti Graft Commission (PAGC) ordered the suspension of Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño in connection with alleged bribery in the earlier dismissal of a case against three prominent drug suspects dubbed the “Alabang Boys.”

In a two-page order issued last May 29, the PAGC placed Zuño under preventive suspension for 90 days while he is being investigated for allegedly committing grave abuse of authority in approving a joint resolution of investigating prosecutors that recommended the dismissal of drug trafficking charges against Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph and Joseph Tecson.

The controversial resolution was drafted by Prosecutor John Resado which was also approved by Senior State Prosecutor Philip Kimpo.

On automatic review, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez affirmed and adopted the prosecutors’ resolution.

Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, who called the Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to release the three suspects, was subsequently cleared by Malacañang and is now back at the department.

In the order signed by Constancia de Guzman, the PAGC said Zuño should be held liable for grave misconduct and conduct grossly prejudicial to best interest of service in handling the case under Section 2 (f) of its charter, Executive Order 531.

In response, Zuño sought relief from the Supreme Court and filed yesterday a petition questioning the PAGC order.

He sought the issuance of temporary restraining order on his suspension, saying the PAGC did not have authority to issue the suspension order.

Zuño, in his petition to the SC, said the agency “is biased and hell-bent on persecuting, not prosecution” and said the authority to impose disciplinary action on him rests with the Office of the Ombudsman.

“PAGC was created only by executive order and originally it was created to recommend actions to the President. PAGC has no vested statutory power to impose penal or other functions or any form of discipline or administrative action against a public officer,” Zuño said in his 53-page petition.

President Arroyo overturned the resolution and ordered criminal charges filed against Joseph, Tecson, and Brodett.