De Lima orders NBI chief to probe bribery issue on Maguindanao massacre raps

DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima. Photo courtesy of UNTV

MANILA — Department of Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima ordered National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Virgilio Mendez on Thursday to conduct a formal investigation on the deepening issue of bribery including government prosecutors handling the Maguindanao massacre case.

The massacre claimed the lives of 58 civilians, including 15 women and 32 media practitioners, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.

De Lima gave the NBI a period of 30 days to submit to her the confidential report.

According to De Lima, although she recognizes the right of Atty. Nena Santos to call for an independent investigation into the issue, it will not stop her decision to order an investigation because she also would like to know the whole truth.

Santos is the lawyer of Maguindanao Gov. Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu, one of the principal complainants in the case.

De Lima said that Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III and the panel of prosecutors themselves, who are being dragged into the issue, have asked for an investigation.

The DOJ chief said that the investigation will cover all aspects of the allegations of bribery starting from the revelation of Santos that she was offered by the Ampatuans the amount of Php 300 million, which she refused, as well as the Php 50 million coursed through Atty. Arnel Manaloto intended for Baraan and the public prosecutors.

De Lima said that all the personalities being implicated in the issue will be sent subpoena by the NBI.