By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
SEVEN prosecutors have been linked to the alleged case fixing at the City Prosecutor’s Office by the accusers of the office’s administrative aide Genard Abejo, a lawyer has revealed to the Gold Star Daily.
Abejo’s lawyer Alejandro Jose Pallugna said this even as he frowned over allegations that Abejo conspired with prosecutors to force three mothers to shell out P350 thousand in exchange for the dismissal of rape and qualified anti-child pornography complaints filed against their children.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested the 47-year old Abejo in a convenience store at a gas station in Gusa almost two weeks ago for allegedly receiving a bribe from the mothers. He was called a “middleman” and “bagman” by Chief Insp. Melgar Devaras of the CIDG.
Pallugna denied the allegations against Abejo, and said the CPO administrative aide did not conspire with anyone.
“We completely and categorically deny that because Genard Abejo acted on his own,” said Pallugna, adding that his client did not violate any law.
Pallugna said the seven prosecutors were identified in the affidavit-complaints of the mothers.
He said the allegations were “hearsay” because the mothers stated that they merely heard the names from Abejo.
“Wala sila makakita sa mga fiscal (prosecutors), wala nila na-estorya ang mga fiscal, wala sila naka dungog sa mga fiscal. Lo-oy kayo ang mga fiscal nga na-drag ang ilang ngalan. They have a reputation, they have children, wives, families, and they have a career,” Pallugna said.
He said he doubted the allegations of the mothers even as he pointed out that even acting city prosecutor Merlyn Uy stated in earlier interviews that she has not heard of stories about alleged fixing of cases in the CPO since she assumed office in May.
Regional state prosecutor Jaime Umpa, who ordered an investigation into the alleged corruption in the CPO following Abejo’s arrest, said he has been receiving information about at least six prosecutors.
“Magic 6 ang tawag ana nila,” said Umpa, adding that talk has it that the group has allegedly turned the CPO into a “marketplace.”
“Morag merkado ang City Prosecutor’s Office basta mag-operate na ang Magic 6 sa ilang case fixing,” Umpa said.
He said assistant regional state prosecutor Irene Meso is still collecting data needed to build a case against the group.
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