Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Michael Defensor bared that the ₱35-million bounty would have been given in vain if the suspects who allegedly took part in Batocabe’s murder changed tune.
“Eh baka kasama na sila dun sa pumatay tapos naloko nila iyong gobyerno tapos ngayon nagpapapresyo naman sa kabila,” Defensor said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 20) — The chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday demanded for the return of the reward money given to the three suspects behind the killing of former AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe if it was proven that they have recanted their testimonies.
[Translation: They were probably among those who took part in the murder but they could only be deceiving the government and renegotiating for a price in the other camp.]
It was Justin Batocabe, the son of the late congressman, who urged authorities to have a closer look at the three witnesses who “flip-flopped” in their testimonies and supposedly sided with former Daraga mayor Carlwyn Baldo, the alleged mastermind in the killing.
“[One witness] was given a certain amount for his protection but upon cajoling and threats and the offer of more money and a lawyer, he flip-flopped and sided with Mr. Baldo,” he said.
“Also, the two gunmen who gave their sinumpaang salaysay [sworn statement] implicating Mayor Baldo also recanted. So, in my view, there should be some focus on those three witnesses and why they were allowed to flip-flop. In the vernacular, sana ho hindi napabayaan [we were hoping this issue was not left unattended],” he added.
PNP questioned on accounting of reward money
Meanwhile, the panel questioned the absence of former PGen Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday’s briefing. Albayalde was in charge of a portion of the reward turned over in January by the lower chamber to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for safekeeping.
Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur 2nd District raised concern over the distribution of the reward money, warning that Albayalde could be cited in contempt if he fails to attend the succeeding briefings on the matter.
“Very clear na tinatago nila ‘yan (pera). It was liquidated. Bakit sinubmit doon sa office at sinasabing walang record? That is impossible,” Pimentel said.
[Translation: It’s very clear that they are hiding the money. It was liquidated. Why would it be submitted to their office and claim that there is no record? That is impossible.]
The ₱35-million bounty comprises ₱13 million that was pledged by a total of 197 House members, ₱20 million from the Office of the President (OP), and ₱2 million from the provincial government of Albay.
However, the accounting for the ₱22 million worth of pledges from the OP and the Albay province is still in question.
PBGen Joel Coronel, acting director of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), bared that Albayalde received ₱20 million from the OP; ₱2 million from the Albay local government was given to Albay Provincial Director Wilson Asueta for its disbursement; while the PNP-CIDG received the ₱13 million from the House, which was then given to eight individuals.
Of the ₱13 million, ₱6 million was awarded to one witness, two were awarded ₱2 million each, two received ₱1 million each, 2 received ₱250,000 each, and one witness received ₱500,000.
Defensor noted that during the executive session with the PNP officials, the bounty has been accounted for.
“During our executive session when we were discussing these, na-klaro naman kung ano ‘yung mga pondong ito, sino ‘yung mga nakatanggap pati ‘yung particular names kasi noong una ayaw pa rin nilang ipakita ‘yung mga pangalan,” he said.
[Translation: During our executive session when we were discussing these, it was already cleared how these funds will be used, who have received, including their particular names because the authorities initially refused to show their names.]
Defensor added that another hearing will be held to clarify matters with regard to the reward money given to the suspects.
Batocabe and his police escort PSMS Orlando Diaz were fatally shot last December 22, 2018 by then-unidentified gunmen after attending a gift-giving event in Daraga. Five witnesses pointed to Baldo as the alleged mastermind.
Batocabe was supposed to run against Baldo in the 2019 mayoralty elections.
Baldo, however, managed to post an ₱8.72-million bail in September after getting an approval from Judge Maria Theresa San Juan Loquillano of the Legazpi City Regional Trial Court Branch 10.
