By Ben Rosario
Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Michael Defensor Wednesday said three witnesses who received cash rewards for information that led to the arrest of the alleged mastermind in the Batocabe slay case should return the bounty.
Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Michael Defensor (MANILA BULLETIN)
At a recent press conference, Defensor said he is satisfied with the way the Philippine National Police (PNP) handled the disbursement of the bounty it received for distribution to the state witnesses.
“Justin Batocabe was very satisfied. Ang problema lang ay ang court that granted bail for the accused,” said Defensor, referring to the son of the late Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe who was killed in an ambush in Daraga City last year.
Defensor said the three witnesses who flip-flopped from their original statements will be called to the next hearing of the Batocabe reward money investigation being conducted by the public accounts panel which he heads.
The administration lawmaker aired the possibility that the three witnesses changed their stories after receiving the cash rewards because they were also bribed by the accused.
Justin, a lawyer, disclosed at the hearing that the recantations may have been triggered by money and threats received by the three witnesses.
Defensor said he expects the witnesses to air their side at the next hearing.
“Dapat talaga bawiin ang reward, kasi ang una nilang testimonya ang naging batayan kung bakit natanggap ang pondo (The reward should be taken back because their initial testimony was the reason they received it),” Defensor said.
Contrary to reports that the PNP failed to fully account for the P35 million reward money, Defensor said he is also satisfied with the way the police agency handled the investigation of the case.
The slay case turned sour when three of the state witnesses suddenly changed their testimonies by clearing the alleged mastermind, Daraga City Mayor Caldwynn Baldo.
Baldo was granted bail after Legaspi City Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Therese Lloquillano found the evidence against him was not strong enough to warrant denial of bail.