Loren asks Palace not to hamper Congress' bribery probe

Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday asked the Department of Justice to defer its investigation of prosecutors and officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) until after the House of Representatives ends its hearing on the "Alabang Boys' Drug Case."

Loren said that the DOJ probe, as ordered by Malacañang, could be interpreted as a move by the administration to prevent DOJ prosecutors and DEA officials from testifying before Congress on the bribery scandal arising from the arrest of three youths from Ayala Alabang Village for alleged illegal drug trading.

Senator Loren Legarda explained that people may see the Malacañang order for DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales to investigate DOJ prosecutors and PDEA as an effort to clamp down on the case and prevent the scandal from escalating and besmirching the administration.

"The Palace must let Congress finish first its probe into the charges and counter-charges being made by DOJ and PDEA officials. This is because the DOJ probe may be used as an excuse to stop concerned DOJ and PDEA personnel from testifying further in the congressional public hearings," said Loren.

Loren added that the Ombudsman and not the DOJ may be in the best position to investigate the matter for the purpose of filing criminal and administrative charges against both DOJ and PDEA personnel, if so warranted.

A DOJ probe of a case involving its very own personnel ranged against officials of another government agency, in this case the PDEA, may also be perceived, rightly or wrongly, as being biased in favor of the DOJ, she warned.

Loren said that the outing of the truth on the case involving the arrest of members of three prominent families is of utmost importance, thus Congress must be allowed to finish its probe unhampered by a parallel investigation by the executive department.

"By determining the gravity of the drug problem and claims that law enforcement officials tasked to combat it are succumbing to bribery, Congress will be able to pass relevant laws," she pointed out.

President Arroyo had asked Gonzales to finish his probe of the alleged bribery involving the drug suspects' families and officials of the DOJ and PDEA.

According to a report, Gonzales was not able to attend the first congressional hearing on the issue because he was "busy probing it."

Loren said that the congressional probe of the issue is very transparent and that all parties should be given the chance to air their sides so that members of Congress and the people in general could have an idea of the extent to which the illegal drug trade has harmed and corrupted Philippine society, especially the bureaucracy.

"The drug menace destroys lives and affects both the rich and poor. It is a scourge which must be laid open before the public if it is to be addressed more effectively," said Loren.