A detained co-accused of former senator Leila M. de Lima in her drugs case denied reports that he gave money to security personnel of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) so could leave his detention cell. Jad Dera, who is also facing other drugs charges, submitted his counter-affidavit during preliminary investigation on Thursday, June 29, on charges of bribery, corruption of public official, and graft and corruption. His co-respondents, the six NBI security officers, have also submitted their counter-affidavits on charges of infidelity in the custody of prisoners and graft and corruption. Lawyer Raymond Palad, Dera’s counsel, said the charges against his client and those lodged against six NBI security personnel have been submitted for resolution. Palad said that Dera denied allegations that he gave money to NBI’s security personnel.  On the other hand, the security personnel, also denied receiving money from Dera, he said. Dera and the six security personnel were arrested at about midnight last June 21 upon returning to the NBI headquarters in Manila. Reports stated that Dera had gone out of his detention cell many times in the past. Citing Dera’s counter-affidavit, Palad said “he denies sa pagbibigay ng pera para lang makalabas ng NBI detention (he denies giving money so that he can leave the NBI detention).” “‘Yung jail supervisor (The accused jail supervisor) is a regular employee of the NBI and he denied receiving money or gifts para lang sila makalabas (so that they can leave detention),” he added. He pointed out the other five security personnel are contractual employees, and because of this, “they cannot be held liable sa bribery, corruption, etcetera kasi hindi sila public officers (since they are not public officers).” “At ang sabi po ng anim na jail escorts wala pong umamin doon na binibigyan sila ng pera o lumalabas sila in consideration of any gift or promise (All six security personnel did not admit being given money or they went out in consideration of any gift or promise),” Palad also said.