De Lima orders NBI to arrest Cedric Lee

 Entertainment
Apr 182014
 
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima during the 8th East Asia Conference (EAC) on Competition Law and Policy at the Mindanao Ballroom, Sofitel Philippine Plaza in CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Wednesday (August 28, 2013). EAC is an open event for key high-level officials of competition agencies in East Asia. EAC participants exchange ideas, views and experiences on emerging regional competition issues; and undertake to strengthen understanding and cooperation with regard to the implementation of competition policy and law across the region. (MNS photo)

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima during the 8th East Asia Conference (EAC) on Competition Law and Policy at the Mindanao Ballroom, Sofitel Philippine Plaza in CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Wednesday (August 28, 2013). EAC is an open event for key high-level officials of competition agencies in East Asia. EAC participants exchange ideas, views and experiences on emerging regional competition issues; and undertake to strengthen understanding and cooperation with regard to the implementation of competition policy and law across the region. (MNS photo)

MANILA Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to serve warrants for the arrest of Cedric Lee and four others accused in the Vhong Navarro grave coercion case who have not posted bail.

The other four are Ferdinand Guerrero, Bernice Lee, Simeon Raz, Jose Paolo Calma, who are among the seven people charged of grave coercion and serious illegal detention in connection with Navarro’s mauling last January 22

So far, only Jed Fernandez and model Deniece Cornejo have surrendered and posted P12,000 bail.

Should Lee and the four others be arrested over the Lenten break, they can only post bail on Monday.

The courts suspended work starting 12 noon today. (MNS)

NBI doing own probe on US state senator’s alleged firearms smuggling

 News
Apr 092014
 
NBI doing own probe on US state senator’s alleged firearms smuggling

The National Bureau of Investigation has started working on its own investigation into the alleged involvement of a US state senator in the illegal trade of firearms with rebels in Mindanao. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima confirmed that the NBI has finished an “initial” probe on the matter. “But limited lang muna doon iyong pag-verify ng the presence nung US [state] senator na iyan na nabanggit sa [FBI] report,” said De Lima, adding that the lawmaker in question, California state senator Leland Yee, had visited the Philippines only once. According to a Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit, Yee was part of a conspiracy to deal firearms without a license and to illegally import firearms from a Muslim separatist group in the Philippines. Yee was arrested in March on charges of corruption and alleged conspiracy to illegally trade in firearms. The FBI affidavit also claims that Yee has associates in the Philippines “trying to overthrow the current government.” “We felt that it is important to us also to try to verify lalo na iyong mga supposed travel of that US [state] senator here in the Philippines,” De Lima said. “We know exactly the month, year and the dates,” she added, but refused to elaborate. The Justice Secretary clarified that even though the NBI has not yet been “formally” tapped by US authorities to look into the matter, the bureau just the same has started “working on it” and “verifying” certain information on the supposed firearms smuggling. “I am not sure if Read More …

De Lima rejects Rep. Haresco plea for reinvestigation of fake SARO case

 News
Feb 122014
 
De Lima rejects Rep. Haresco plea for reinvestigation of fake SARO case

Rep. Haresco denies role in fake SARO scam. At a press conference on Tuesday, February 11, Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco compares an original Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) with a fake one to deny the National Bureau of Investigation’s accusation that he had a hand in the alleged fake SARO scam. GMA News The National Bureau of Investigation will not reinvestigate the fake Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) case against Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr despite the solon’s plea, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Wednesday.  De Lima, in an interview, said she was turning down Haresco’s request, adding that it was no longer the call of the NBI to go over the matter anew. As Justice chief, de Lima has supervision over the NBI, an agency attached to the Department of Justice. “I dont think we are inclined to do that kase ifa-file na sa proper forum iyan whether sa Department of Justice or the Ombudsman. That is the proper forum,” De Lima said. De Lima also said she saw no reason for the NBI to re-investigate Haresco because due process has been observed by the investigators and attempted to get the lawmaker’s side of the story early on. “They have exerted efforts short of issuing subpoena to access him but it was unsuccessful. They wanted to access him but hindi daw sila hinarap at pinagbigyan,” De Lima said. In its findings, the NBI said Haresco should be charged for falsification of public documents under Article 171 Par. Read More …

De Lima: Revilla Sr. may be included in pork barrel probe

 Entertainment
Jan 252014
 
De Lima: Revilla Sr. may be included in pork barrel probe

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima during the 8th East Asia Conference (EAC) on Competition Law and Policy at the Mindanao Ballroom, Sofitel Philippine Plaza in CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Wednesday (August 28, 2013). EAC is an open event for key high-level officials of competition agencies in East Asia. EAC participants exchange ideas, views and experiences on emerging regional competition issues; and undertake to strengthen understanding and cooperation with regard to the implementation of competition policy and law across the region. In photo is Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) chairman Kazuyuki Sugimoto. (MNS photo) MANILA, Jan 23 (Mabuhay) – First, his son. Now, former Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. may just find himself in the center of the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe into the alleged siphoning of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to so-called “Napoles non-government organizations (NGOs).” His namesake, incumbent Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., was part of the first batch of respondents charged by the NBI and “pork barrel” scam whistleblowers before the office of the Ombudsman. The complaint alleged that Revilla Jr. pocketed P224.51 M as kickbacks from Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged scam architect. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima is set to meet with primary whistleblower Benhur Luy, Napoles’ former aide, and his lawyer, Levito Baligod, to find out if they are in possession of evidence against Revilla Sr. So far, De Lima said she is not aware of any sworn statement by Luy or Read More …

Revilla's ‘toy truck’ gimmick an insult to NBI, DOJ – Justice chief

 News
Jan 202014
 
Revilla's ‘toy truck’ gimmick an insult to NBI, DOJ – Justice chief

Senator Revilla lashes back at Aquino govt . In what could be taken as a mockery of the complaint against him in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. presented the ‘truckload’ of evidence supposedly being used against him during a privilege speech on Monday, January 20. Revilla accused the Aquino administration of using the pork barrel issue to cover up its alleged failures. Benjie Castro Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was not amused by Senator Bong Revilla Jr’s privilege speech, where he denied involvement in the pork barrel scam and even trotted out a toy truck to make light of the government’s evidence against him. “Nangi-insulto na lang iyon. I don’t know for what reason ginagawa niya iyan na minamaliit niya ang trabaho ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) at DOJ (Department of Justice),” said De Lima, stressing the plunder complaint that the NBI filed against the lawmaker was already being evaluated by the Office of the Ombudsman. “So, siguro iyon ang alam niyang strategy…na maliitin at insultuhin ang naging outlook ng NBI,” she added. In his speech, Revilla claimed President Benigno Aquino III personally asked him to vote to convict former chief justice Renato Corona in 2012. Revilla was one of 20 senators who voted for conviction on May 29, 2012. Revilla’s toy truck was an apparent reference to the sets of documentary evidence prepared by the DOJ and NBI, which were so voluminous they had to be transported from the NBI headquarters Read More …

Mendez named new NBI director

 Entertainment
Jan 202014
 
Mendez named new NBI director

Atty. Virgilio Mendez (photo courtesy of www.nbi.gov.ph) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Atty. Virgilio Mendez is the new Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Mendez, NBI Deputy Director for Regional Operations Services before assuming the bureau’s top post, took his oath before Justice Secretary Leila De Lima Thursday morning, exactly 36 years since he joined the bureau as an agent on Jan. 16, 1978. Mendez assumed the post four months after Atty. Nonnatus Rojas tendered his irrevocable resignation. Mendez, 61, is an NBI insider who rose from the ranks of the country’s top investigation arm. He is the first NBI insider to be appointed Director since the passing of NBI Director Federico Opinion in 2000 due to kidney failure and diabetes. A native of Bohol, Mendez also served as NBI Regional Director for Region X in 2004, Deputy Director for Comptroller Services from 2007 to 2009, and Deputy Director for Administrative Services from 2009 to 2011. He became NBI Deputy Director for ROS from 2011. De Lima, who personally endorsed Mendez to President Aquino as Rojas’ replacement, said the former’s appointment will be a boost to the morale of the men and women of the NBI. “It is, perhaps, time to, once again, hail somebody from the NBI ranks. Besides the obvious experience that an insider will bring to the NBI leadership, it will also serve as a considerable morale booster for those serving in the NBI,” De Lima said. When Rojas, a member of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Read More …

Davidson Bangayan will be placed under Look-out Bulletin – De Lima

 Entertainment
Jan 202014
 
Davidson Bangayan will be placed under Look-out Bulletin – De Lima

(DOJ building) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima said on Wednesday that controversial businessman Davidson Bangayan will be placed under the Look-out Bulletin. De Lima said that such action will be taken amid the gathering of more information about the possible involvement of Bangayan in rice smuggling because of suspicion that he is also the big-time rice smuggler David Tan. Likewise, De Lima said that she has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to continue with the gathering of additional information and evidence that David Tan and Davidson Bangayan are one and the same person. De Lima added that based on the testimonies of the witnesses of the NBI who are from one of the rice cooperatives, Bangayan and Tan are only one person. At the same time, De Lima said that the NBI has already coordinated with the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to clarify the warrant of arrest it earlier issued against a certain David Tan who was accused of electricity pilferage. De Lima noted that the phrase “who is not” is not usual in a warrant of arrest because the aliases are oftentimes included in the name of the persons ordered to be arrested. The DOJ chief said that this should be clarified, especially so that if the record of the case at the Caloocan City RTC will be made as basis, the addresses of David Tan and Davidson Bangayan are only one and the same. (MNS)

NBI arrests alleged rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan

 News
Jan 132014
 
NBI arrests alleged rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan

NBI detains alleged rice smuggler ‘David Tan’. Businessman Davidson Bangayan (in black jacket), believed to be the David Tan being linked to rice smuggling, turned himself in to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Tuesday, January 14, to deny involvement in rice smuggling activities. He was later arrested by the NBI for further investigation. John Consulta The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday arrested businessman and alleged rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan shortly after he personally surrendered to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier in the day. GMA News correspondent John Consulta said in a “Balitanghali” report that NBI operatives served an arrest warrant to Bangayan at the end of his visit to De Lima. He was brought to the NBI headquarters where he will be asked to give his formal statement regarding charges that he was the David Tan allegedly involved in rice smuggling. Consulta said Bangayan’s lawyer looked furious and disappointed that his client was arrested after he personally showed up at De Lima’s office to refute the charges against him. Bangayan surrendered a day after De Lima bared to the media that NBI investigators were able to establish him as the David Tan being linked to rice smuggling activities in the country. – Xianne Arcangel/KBK, GMA News

De Lima: NBI has tracked down alleged rice smuggler ‘David Tan’

 News
Jan 122014
 
De Lima: NBI has tracked down alleged rice smuggler ‘David Tan’

Government investigators have tracked down an individual who they believe could be the “David Tan” being linked to rice smuggling operations in the country. In an interview with reporters Monday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents have found out that Tan’s real name is Davidson Bangayan. “The initial results of the verification and investigation of the NBI is that this David Tan actually exists,” De Lima said, adding the NBI believes that Tan and Bangayan are “one and the same person.” She said the NBI already knows the home and business addresses of Bangayan, who is believed to be a “one-man cartel.” The Department of Justice and the NBI have re-opened their investigation on rice smuggling after Sen. Ralph Recto expressed disappointment over their alleged failure to act on his Senate panel’s recommendation months ago. The panel has recommended to prosecute one David Tan in connection with rice smuggling activities in the country. The DOJ and the NBI “temporarily closed” their probe earlier because the NBI was unable to find out the identity and whereabouts of Tan and fellow suspect, Danny Ngo, despite “diligent efforts.” Some 48 million kilos of smuggled rice worth about P725M are in 1,937 container vans intercepted at various ports nationwide from October to December last year, according to the Bureau of Customs. The Federation of Philippine Industries had earlier said a Davao City-based trader is suspected to be involved in large-scale rice smuggling. Last week, activist lawyer Argee Guevarra Read More …

Eyewitness in NAIA shooting tags mayor's rival in statement to NBI

 News
Dec 272013
 
Eyewitness in NAIA shooting tags mayor's rival in statement to NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) already has in its possession a statement from a witness to last week’s assassination of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur mayor Ukol Talumpa at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). According to a GMA News TV Live report Friday, the witness was just three feet away from Talumpa, his wife, and other members of his family when they were shot by a lone gunman five days before Christmas at the loading bay of the NAIA Terminal 3. “This witness saw the alleged gunman shoot the couple at close range, and that witness heard alleged gunman utter this ‘Mayor, mayor, para kay Kitty Nandang ito!’ Dinig na dinig daw ito at kilala ‘yung gunman,” Justice Secretary Leila De Lima told reporters Friday. Kitty is the nickname of former Labangan Mayor Wilson Nandang, Talumpa’s political rival who has been on the government watch list on drug traffickers. He is believed to be the leader of the Nandang-Afdal drug group. The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said Talumpa may be the victim of a drug war in Zamboanga del Sur, noting his campaign against drug use. The DOJ is still studying the option of providing security to Talumpa’s family, the GMA News TV Live report said. De Lima said at least two witnesses would be put under the Witness Protection Program. Other than the mayor, Talumpa’s wife Lea, his nephew Salipudin Talumpa, and 18-month-old infant Phil Thomas Estoesta, who just happened to be near the target, were also Read More …

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