DOJ's Remulla: Recantations show conspiracy among Degamo suspects

For Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the consecutive recantations of testimonies made by the accused in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo only prove that there is a conspiracy among them.

“It shows a conspiracy among the 10 of them that they were really part of the conspiracy when all of them suddenly recant. It just shows, it just proves our case further that the conspiracy sticks and is there,” Remulla said in an interview.

To recall, accused Osmundo Rivero was the first to recant his testimony on Monday last week.

He denied knowledge of the ploy and its alleged masterminds, newly-suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. and Teves' former bodyguard Marvin Miranda.

Accused Dahniel Lora, Romel Pattaguan, and Rogelio Antipolo Jr. then recanted their testimonies the following day. Accused Joven Javier then followed two days later.

On Tuesday this week, accused Winrich Isturis, Eulogia Gonyon Jr., John Louie Gonyon, Joric Labrador, and Benjie Rodriguez recanted their testimonies.

“Nag sabi na sila dati ng iba-ibang pananalita sa bawat affidavit, ibaba ‘yung sinasabi nila, nag tutugma lang sa maraming punto. Ngayon pare-pareho na sinasabi nila,” Remulla said.

(They were talking about different things in their affidavits that matched at many points Now they are all saying the same thing.)

According to Remulla, the Department of Justice will submit as evidence the affidavits first executed by the accused even though they have recanted.

Meanwhile, the Justice Secretary accused Miranda’s legal counsel, Atty. Reynante Orceo, and the legal counsel of Lora, Pattaguan, Antipolo, and Javier, Atty. Danny Villanueva, to also be behind the recantations of the accused.

Remulla previously accused Miranda of supposedly "directing" other suspects to recant their testimonies.

“Atty. Orceo is one of them. Former Usec. Orceo is one of them. Atty. Villanueva is another. But don’t worry because we will ask the IBP to look into the matter,” he said.

GMA News Online has sought comment Villanueva but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Orceo said the Remulla's information that money made the suspects recant  was "purely hearsay."

"As lawyers, which Sec. Remulla is supposedly aware of, such statement is devoid of evidentiary weight or probative value. In fact, Sections 13 and 38 of the new lawyers Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability prohibits the imputation of misconduct and the  non-posting of false or unverified statements," he said.

Teves video

Meanwhile, Remulla said the recent video of Teves reflected his state of mind and showed his lack of respect for the country and its institutions.

“It reflects his state of mind, his respect for authority, the way he thinks about our society. I think it’s self explanatory kung anong klaseng tao siya… He does not respect our country at all. No respect for our country or its institutions,” he said.

In his video, Teves said that Remulla had turned “crazy,” adding that the Justice Secretary should have applied to the movie industry and not the government.

“Alam nyo Nakita ko si Bonjing. Wala na. kumbaga sa Bisaya nabuang na. hindi mo na maintindihan. kung anu-ano na sinasabi. Wala na sa lugar. Secretary pa naman. Kung anu-ano sinasabi sa spin master, spin doctor,” he said.

The  House of Representatives on Wednesday imposed another 60-day suspension without pay on Teves over his continued absence from the chamber on an expired travel authority.

Teves has yet to return to the country due to fears for his safety. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, had said their best intelligence did not perceive any threat against him.

On March 4, Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured after an attack on the late governor’s home in Negros Oriental. The death toll later climbed to 10.

The lawmaker has denied involvement in the killing.—LDF, GMA Integrated News