By Alec Go
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Rafael Ragos’ retraction of his previous statements on April 30 this year will not “destroy the strength of evidence of the case” against Senator Leila De Lima and Ronnie Dayan.
The DOJ questioned on May 2 the “glaring delay” on the recantation of his previous affidavits dated 5 and 26 September 2016 and March 2017, and expressed doubt on its truthfulness, calling his motive “highly suspicious.”
“It is left to the appreciation of the court to consider his affidavit of recantation if it can completely destroy his previous affidavits and testimonies,” the DOJ said, noting that Ragos has executed the affidavit “more than five years after he testified before the Senate in 2016 and other subsequent affidavits executed in 2017.”
“He even testified in court on 07, 14, and 28 June 2019, and the defense subjected him to an extensive cross-examination. After his testimony, he appeared before the Senate in September 2019 and again reiterated his dealings with accused De Lima,” the DOJ said. “In all of the foregoing instances, there was no mention of coercion or intimidation.”
The department also said the retraction of the former National Bureau of Investigation official’s remarks on the alleged transactions with De Lima “has minimal effect as Ragos merely contradicted himself with respect to his recantation,” and it will have no impact on other witnesses’ testimonies.
“The testimonies of the witnesses presented by the prosecution are enough to pin and prove the charges against accused Senator Leila M. De Lima and Ronnie Dayan,” it stated.
Last month, self confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa also recanted his allegations against De Lima who has been in detention since 2017.
In a Tweet on Tuesday, the senator said the witnesses’ move to recant their statements are not among the questionable moves on the case against her.
“If anything, this is the only thing that makes sense: it’s proof that the truth will always come out,” she said.
“What is so questionable/suspicious about witnesses finding it in their conscience to retract their lies against me? Anyone can see how I am in no position to force anything from them,” she added. – gb
