MANILA — Those who forced witnesses into providing distorted testimonies against ex-senator Leila de Lima should be held accountable, said former Senate President Franklin Drilon on Tuesday.
Drilon’s statement was issued after a Muntinlupa court granted De Lima’s appeal to post bail in her remaining drug case.
The former Senate chief said he was “very happy that the rule of law has prevailed,” but he likewise stressed: Who will answer for the sufferings of de Lima due to unwarranted charges?
“I think whoever made this case made of lies against de Lima should be punished. I’ll say it again: it can’t be just like that. Someone should be held accountable for this,” said Drilon.
Citing former Bureau of Corrections chief Rafael Ragos’ testimony, Drilon recalled that former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre was implicated in coercing Ragos into “signing pre-written affidavits against de Lima.”
Drilon then stressed that if proven true, Aguirre could be held accountable for the crime of subordination of perjury.
“This is a mistake that is punishable under the Revised Penal Code, specifically subordination for perjury. When you force a witness to lie in order to indict someone,” he explained, partly in Filipino.
In Hondrade vs Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) (G.R. No. 226526), the Supreme Court ruled that subornation of perjury is committed by a person who knowingly and willfully procures another to swear falsely, and the witness suborned does testify or subscribe an affidavit under circumstances rendering him guilty of perjury.
Subornation of perjury is treated as perjury and the accused is punished under Article 183 in relation to Article 17, as principal by inducement.
Drilon then noted that the development of de Lima’s case indicated that the Philippine justice system must be improved.
According to Drilon, a “thorough examination” of the procedure that led to the prosecution of de Lima is needed, as well as an investigation into her nearly seven years of detention.
He pointed out the need for amendments to the rules to prevent delays from happening again in the future.
“This is a positive sign but we must continue to improve our justice system. The de Lima case should prompt the Supreme Court to take a look at how this case was delayed as thousands of Filipinos have to deal with the sluggish pace of our justice system,” Drilon said.
Lastly, Drilon explained the significance of the court granting bail, emphasizing that the denial of bail in a capital offense usually signifies strong evidence of guilt. In contrast, the grant of bail suggests that the evidence of guilt is weak, if not entirely lacking. a(Charie Abarca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
