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[av_heading heading=’Graft case vs Leila over ASG members’ release dismissed’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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February 6, 2018
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MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the graft charges filed against detained senator Leila de Lima and other government officials over the alleged irregular release of suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in 2013.
Complainants Temogen Tulawie and Abner Tahil failed to present proof of their allegations, the Ombudsman said in a nine-page resolution released on Monday.
De Lima was accused of violating sections 3 (e) and (f) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Also named respondents were former Sulu vice governor Abdusakur Tan, former National Commission on Muslim Filipinos chair Mehol Sadain and former commissioner Edilwasif Baddiri.
They allegedly aided and financed the release of Abu Sayyaf members Mohammad Sali Said, Jul Ahmad Ahadi, Robin Sahiyal, and Mujibar Bong Amon in February 2013.
De Lima was the Justice secretary at the time.
“The Ombudsman has found no probable cause to hold any of the respondents liable for grave misconduct, dishonesty, neglect of duty, or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” read part of the decision.
“[The] complainants’ allegations are devoid of evidence. Without evidence, allegations are just empty words,” it said. “Allegations can never be considered as repositories of truth, and hence cannot serve as foundation of decision resolving rights of the litigants.”
Tahil stated in his complaint that he personally saw how the respondents entered into “shadowy dealings” with the ASG members to implicate Tulawie, who was then facing a criminal case at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19.
The complainants also said the respondents made it appear that the arrest of Said, Ahadi and Sahiyal was a case of mistaken identity. Said was later released and placed under the Witness Protection Program.
“In plain words, complainants did not witness in person any of respondents talk, or make an offer, to the alleged ASG inmates,” said the Ombudsman. “There is no truth, therefore, to complainants’ allegation that Tahil personally witnessed how respondents entered into shadowy dealings with the [ASG].”
It added: “As Tahil has no personal knowledge as to respondents’ alleged dealings with alleged ASG members, he is not qualified or competent to testify, if summoned in court, on matters he did not perceive by his own senses.”/PN
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