Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Rabusa gets threats, seeks witness protection


Former Armed Forces budget officer George Rabusa was elusive to the media when he personally went to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday morning to file his affidavit regarding alleged corruption in the military.

In a news conference following her closed-door meeting with Rabusa, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima bared Rabusa was seeking immunity from possible charges that may arise following his exposes. Rabusa testified before the Senate that former Armed Forces chiefs of staff took away millions in "send-off" money upon their retirement.

"Concerned siya dun sa immunity because he has admitted sa Senate proceedings na he also benefited. He even cited some amount kasi nga whistleblower siya," de Lima said.

"As long as he does not appear most guilty and his testimony can be corroborated...and his testimony is essential in the conviction of those involved, qualified siya and that's why the legal system provides for turning state witness or immunity," she added.

Rabusa formally applied for the DOJ Witness Protection Program today. De Lima said pending an evaluation of his affidavit and evidence to substantiate his claims, Rabusa will only be admitted into the Witness Protection Program under provisional coverage of 90 days beginning this Saturday.

De Lima said the DOJ will study Rabusa's request for immunity on the ground that he is a whistleblower.

"A whistleblower is right there in the middle of things. Isa siyang participant but nag-squeal. So necessarily meron sin siya accountability but precisely in cases like this, hindi naman ito magpo-prosper kung walang exposé niya. Hindi ito ma-o-open. Hindi sasabog kung walang nag expose and more importantly, hindi magpo-prosper ang kaso kung walang testimony ng whistleblower," she said.

Asked about Rabusa's demeanor during the meeting, de Lima said: "He has an ailment. Nagka-stroke na siya and even if he's trying to show a brave front, you can sense na takot din siya especially for his family but ang nagpapalakas sa kanya ay he is able to do something for the good of the future generations."

"I could feel his sincerity and his credibility," de Lima added.

Rabusa, lawyer claim to receive threats

Rabusa and his lawyer are receiving threats through text messages, according to the justice chief.

Rabusa's counsel, Atty. Noel Malaya, showed one such message to de Lima during the closed-door meeting.

"I will talk to the president of IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines), Roan Libarios, if IBP can extend assistance to the lawyer by coming up with a statement condemning these threats," de Lima said.

De Lima said she asked Malaya if he needed protection, but Malaya said he is still thinking about what measures to take.

'Comprehensive, exhaustive' 2nd affidavit to be filed Monday

Rabusa is scheduled to submit a "comprehensive, exhaustive" affidavit to the DOJ on Monday, detailing the extent of his knowledge on alleged corruption in the military.

"That affidavit, according to Colonel Rabusa, will be sufficient for purposes of preliminary evaluation. Very detailed daw na. Meron din siyang mga evidence, documents and hopefully meron siyang corroborating witnesses," de Lima said.

Asked for comment on his sworn statement, all Rabusa could say was "masama pakiramdam ko, please. Tanungin niyo na lang si Secretary de Lima."

Rabusa said his blood pressure shot up and that he had difficulty breathing.

Rabusa will include in his 2nd affidavit his testimony in tomorrow's continuation of the Senate hearing.

"He said he has more revelations tomorrow," de Lima said.

The justice chief said it is important to mete out punishment if it is proven that Rabusa is telling the truth.

"This is no minor matter. This is very serious...I think some foreign governments are keenly watching the development of these cases because we are getting all sorts of assistance and may security partnerships din tayo tapos may ganito tayo," de Lima said.

The DOJ will determine where to file the charges that may arise following Rabusa's exposé.

De Lima said she sees no problem with filing the appropriate complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman.

"Ang importante is tingnan muna yung mga ebidensiya na yan at kung may sapat bang basis, saka yan kailangang i-forward na sa appropriate body. We have respect for the Office of the Ombudsman regardless of who is sitting now. Occupants come and go, even the DOJ secretaries come and go. What is important is nape-preserve ang integrity ng isang institution. I refuse to think that the Ombudsman as an institution can no longer be trusted," de Lima said.

The justice chief has been criticizing the Ombudsman for going into a plea bargain deal with former AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia who faces plunder raps before the Sandiganbayan.

Ombudsman statement 'disturbing'

In an earlier statement this morning, de Lima said statements from the Ombudsman yesterday stating that it could not be established that public funds went into Garcia's pockets were "disturbing."

"I heard her say that malabo ang kaso kay General Garcia. Sa information, John Does and Jane Does lang, walang pangalan ng mga contractors, suppliers and therefore wala daw siyang nakikitang public funds are involved. How can you say that? Hindi ba yung sa statement ni Mrs. (Clarita) Garcia, she was referring to commissions, kickbacks. Kickbacks presupposes public funds and aren't most cases before the Ombudsman all about public funds?" de Lima asked.

She added: "If you have an Ombudsman who does not seem to realize na public funds are involved in that case, then you have a problem."

source: abs-cbnnews.com

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