MikeLigalig.com

DOJ panel in Maguindanao massacre raps denies Php50-M bribery
By Perfecto T. Raymundo

MANILA, Aug. 5 (PNA) -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors handling the Maguindanao massacre cases on Tuesday vehemently denied the allegations of state witness Lakmodin Saliao that they were bribed with Php50 million to compromise the trial of the cases.

According to a statement issued by the panel, they are condemning in the strongest terms the allegations of Saliao of Php50-million payoff to compromise the trial.

Based on the timeline, the panel said, it is clear that Saliao's allegations are false.

Saliao escaped from the Ampatuans on May 18, 2010 and he was admitted into the DOJ Witness Protection Program (WPP) on July 15, 2010.

In a separate statement, DOJ Undersecretary Francisco "Toti" Baraan III said he assumed as DOJ undersecretary on Aug. 16, 2010 and was designated as supervising undersecretary of the Maguindanao massacre cases only on Nov. 22, 2010, while the present panel of public prosecutors was created on March 9, 2011.

Because of this, Baraan said he was still not yet with the DOJ and he was not yet part of the litigation of the Maguindanao massacre cases when the bribery as claimed by Saliao took place.

As such, the DOJ official said the allegations of payoff and bribery against him and the panel of prosecutors are a complete fabrication.

In spite of these challenges, Baraan said they will remain steadfast and committed to securing justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre cases. (PNA)

Wa pa diay tawon mahuman ning kasoha...