Degamo widow says more recantations possible

Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo on Wednesday said it is possible that more suspect-witnesses in the killing of her husband, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, will recant their testimonies.

"Actually, puwede pa ring mangyari 'yan," she told Unang Balita in an interview. "Talagang powerful ang money. Makapangyarihan 'yung pera."

(That can happen. Money is really powerful.)

Four suspects have already recanted their statements regarding knowledge on the assassination and pinning Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. and his former bodyguard Marvin Miranda to it.

Teves, who is out of the country, has repeatedly denied involvement in the killing. Despite possible sanctions from the House of Representatives, he refuses to return to the country, citing threats to his life.

Meanwhile, despite the recantations, Mayor Degamo said she remains hopeful that justice will be served for the death of her husband and nine others, and that peace and order will be brought back in Negros Oriental.

"Ang dami ring kaso na nag-recant ang mga witnesses o suspects, pero hindi naman nag-fail dahil ‘yung pinanghahawakan, hindi lang naman 'yung statements nila," she said.

(There were cases that did not fail after the witnesses or the suspects recanted their testimonies because they were not based solely on the statements.)

'Face full force of the law'

In a television interview, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon said one of the suspects who recanted, Osmundo Rivero, should face the full force of the law if he fails to produce evidence.

"There are these allegations made by Rivero in his affidavit of recantation. It’s something that’s worth looking into. And if true, then anybody… who may have been responsible for it, if proven to be correct may be held responsible,” Fadullon told CNN Philippines.

"However, if for example, it turns out that these are allegations which cannot be supported, which is something that cannot be backed up by evidence, then the one who makes the recantation should, likewise, face the full force of the law," he added.

According to Fadullon, the burden of proof lies with Rivero as he made earlier statements and was now changing them, adding that Rivero may prove this by providing medicolegal reports, affidavits of examinations by doctors, records of injuries, and complaints.

The prosecutor also questioned the timing of the recantation, saying it has been a month and a half since Rivero was brought to Manila.

"Well, if you ask me, there’s a lot explaining to do because of the variants in the initial statement that was executed, this recantation, and the other statements that Rivero himself issued. So the subject or the matter of having to prove it is now with Rivero because it doesn’t follow that just because he recanted, what he is saying now is the absolute truth," he said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said it believes the suspects' recantations will not have an impact on the case. However, it admitted that this would affect the suspects' credibility.

"Sa tingin namin wala naman siyang epekto doon sa kaso, 'no? Kasi naniniwala kami ang ebidensyang hawak ng department sa ngayon ay matibay," Fadullon said Tuesday.

(We think that it doesn't have an effect on the case. We believe we have strong evidence.)

"At kahit na merong umatras o magbago ng kanilang salaysay, hindi ibig sabihin nito na totally masisira yung kaso," he added.

(And even if they recant their statements, this does not mean that the case is totally destroyed.)

On Wednesday, Fadullon said six other suspects are still pointing to Miranda and Teves. — with Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News