DOJ exec, prosecutors in 'Alabang Boys' mess go on leave

MANILA, Philippines - Following a directive from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a ranking official from the Department of Justice as well as a number of DOJ prosecutors linked to the "Alabang Boys" controversy filed for indefinite leaves of absence starting Monday. "I already applied for a five-day leave of absence dahil sa utos ng Pangulo (because the President ordered so)," Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor said in an interview with GMANews.TV. President Arroyo on Sunday "instructed Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to require the leave of absence of all officials and prosecutors of the DOJ alleged to have received bribes in exchange for the release of suspected drug dealers from certain rich and influential families." The President was referring to Richard Santos Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph, and Joseph Ramirez Tecson, the three alleged drug pushers who were arrested by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents last Sept. 20 in separate operations in Muntinlupa City and Quezon City. Blancaflor came under fire after Major Ferdinand Marcelino, PDEA Special Enforcement Services head, named him as the Justice official who inquired on the status of the drug case against the three suspects. Blancaflor admitted calling Marcelino, but denied committing anomaly with the move. He insisted that he has no personal interest on the drug case, adding that following up on the drug case against Brodett, Joseph, and Tecson was “for public service." Blancaflor was also dragged into the controversy when lawyer Felisberto Verano Jr., counsel for Brodett and Tecson, admitted drafting an order for a release of his clients and coursing the same through Blancaflor’s secretary. The order was for Gonzalez’s signing, but the Justice secretary refused to sign the document. Indefinite leave of absence In a related development, Gonzalez confirmed that effective Monday, prosecutors implicated in the bribery mess surrounding the “Alabang Boys" drug case are in an indefinite leave of absence. The said controversy refers to alleged bribery attempts to DOJ prosecutors to recommend the release of the suspects. "Yes, their [the prosecutors'] leaves of absence are effective today,"Gonzalez said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV. He, however, did not elaborate who these prosecutors were. Gonzalez added that the move was also pursuant to President Arroyo’s arroyos earlier order. As this developed, GMA News’ Carlo Lorenzo reported over QTV’s Balitanghali that Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito’s Zuño’s indefinite leave of absence is also effective Monday, along with those of State Prosecutor John Resado and Senior State Prosecutor Philip Kimpo. Resado penned the controversial December 2, 2008 resolution recommending the dismissal of the drug case against the three men. Kimpo recommended the resolution for approval, while Zuño approved the resolution. The said resolution, however, is subject to the Justice secretary’s automatic review by virtue of an internal rule in the department. Protesting ‘persecution’ Meanwhile, state prosecutors wore red armbands Monday to dramatize their resentment over being accused of bribery in the “Alabang Boys" drug mess. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that the National Prosecutors League of the Philippines also placed a streamer insisting they have no ill intentions in their work. "No master but law, No guide but conscience, No aim but justice," read a streamer the NPLP placed outside the DOJ building. The NPLP also claimed similar actions were taking place in other parts of the country. with a report from Carlo Lorenzo, GMANews.TV