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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Perjury case vs Ragos on De Lima's acquittal?

Perjury case vs Ragos on De Lima's acquittal?

Published May 14, 2023 03:24 am
Former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director Rafael M.  Ragos may be charged with perjury for executing false testimonies, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official said on Sunday, May 14. Prosecutor General Benedicto A. Malcontento said Ragos’ recantation of his earlier testimony against former senator Leila M. de Lima led to her acquittal in the case involving illegal drugs. De Lima and her bodyguard Ronnie P. Dayan were accused of receiving, on two occasions, a total of P10 million as proceeds from the illegal drugs trading at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City when the former was justice secretary. Ragos had testified that he delivered the money in 2012 when he was officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).  He recanted his testimony against De Lima and Dayan. The recantation paved the way for the acquittal of both De Lima and Dayan of the second criminal case filed against the former senator in a decision promulgated last Friday, May 12, and issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Abraham Joseph B. Alcantara. The decision stated that “the testimony of witness Ragos is necessary to sustain any possible conviction.” “Ultimately, the retraction created doubt which warrants the acquittal of both accused,” the judge ruled. Malcontento said that Ragos swore to the truthfulness of his testimony against De Lima and was even warned that he could be charged with perjury if this was found to be false. On the filing of a perjury case against Ragos, Malcontento said: “That’s a possibility, but we have to wait for directions of OSEC (Office of the Secretary).” He said the decision to charge Ragos with perjury will come from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla. With her acquittal on her second drugs case, De Lima is now battling for her exoneration in the third case pending before Branch 256 of the Muntinlupa City RTC. She had filed a motion to post bail which is still pending resolution. In the three cases, De Lima was charged with violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act in the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs trading at the NBP. Ragos could not be contracted as of posting.
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