Ex-police officer Sombero promised to attend next Senate hearing, says Gordon

Retired police officer Wenceslao "Wally" Sombero, the supposed middleman of Chinese gambling tycoon Jack Lam, has promised to attend the next Senate hearing on the P50-million bribery scandal at the Bureau of Immigration.

Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, told radio dzBB in an interview on Sunday that Sombero called him up to assure that he is coming home.

"Nakausap ko na siya. Tumawag siya at natutuwa naman ako at finally, magpapakita na siya. Hopefully, kung darating talaga siya, malaking bagay sa imbestigasyon 'yan dahil malalaman na natin kung ano ang puno't dulo ng nangyari na ito," Gordon said.

He added that Sombero has aired his grievances, particularly over being treated like a criminal.

"Talaga raw babalik siya kaya lang napakahigpit ng mga threat [sa kaniya]," Gordon said. "Masama ang loob niya na imbes na makatulong siya eh pinaaaresto pa siya ni [PNP chief] General Bato [dela Rosa] at saka parang binabalewala. Malaki raw ang maitutulong niya kung saka-sakali."

The senator said he is also amenable to coordinating security arrangements for Sombero.

Asked if the former police officer has made any promises about his testimony, Gordon replied: "Wala akong hiningi sa kaniyang pangako."

"Sabi ko, 'Humarap ka dito, sabihin mo 'yung totoo... I will promise to be fair to you. Magsabi ka ng totoo, wala tayong problema,'" he said.

"Sabi ko rin, 'napaka-crucial ng imbestigasyon na 'to 'di lang para sa bansa kundi sa'yo rin, kasi dito malalaman kung kasama ka talaga o hindi,'" he added.

The Blue Ribbon committee is conducting an investigation on the scandal involving dismissed Immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles.

Both have denied accusations that they extorted P50 million from Lam, supposedly in exchange for the release of 1,316 illegal Chinese workers at Lam's Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga.

Gordon earlier said the committee will recommend to Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III to cite Sombero for contempt when he failed to attend the hearing last February 9.

He also said then that he will recommend that the former police officer's passport be revoked.

Sombero left the country on January 17 for Singapore despite being placed on a lookout bulletin. He cited health reasons for his absence from the hearings. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News