Retired PCSupt. Jerry Valeroso is among the witnesses in the drug case against Senator Leila de Lima. | Photo taken from Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Retired PCSupt. Jerry Valeroso took the witness stand on Tuesday, September 18, during the trial of Senator Leila de Lima’s drug cases.
Valeroso claims to have witnessed how cops inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) connived with the lady senator to sneak illegal drugs into the facility.
During his testimony, the former policeman said he was introduced to drug lords JB Sebastian and Herbert Colangco who allegedly confirmed to him that it was Senator De Lima who was protecting their illegal drug transactions inside NBP.
But De Lima’s camp doubted Valeroso’s conflicting testimonies.
“Noong nag-testify siya sinasabi niya [na] ipinakilala siya kay JB Sebastian, kay Herbert Colangco at sa Bilibid 19, pero nung cross-examination bigla niyang sinabi [na] hindi siya ipinakilala kay Herbert Colangco. Nagulat na lang kami [na] ganoon,” said Atty. Boni Tacardon, De Lima’s legal counsel.
“Iyong P65 million sabi niya nakita niya sa kubol ni Sam Li Chua pero noong 2016, sinabi niya na hindi niya nakita ang P65 million. Sinabi lang niya na nabanggit lang daw ni (inaudible) so clearly ito [ay] highlight ng pagiging perjured witness niya,” Tacardon added.
The Court has not decided yet on the motion filed by De Lima’s camp to disqualify all 13 convicted criminals turned prosecution witnesses despite their questionable credibility.
Senator De Lima, meanwhile, remained hopeful that those trooping against her will have their time in court.
“May hangganan din talaga ang impunity! Mananagot at mananagot ang mga lumalabag sa karapatang pantao, at iyong isa pang berdugo at mass murderer na nasa Malacañang ay dapat managot din,” the embattled senator said. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Mai Bermudez)
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