|
Friday, April 30, 2004
Cuenco: PDEA set to charge aides of John-john for perjury
By MINERVA B. GERODIAS
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
REP. Antonio Cuenco yesterday announced that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will soon be filing perjury complaints against the three office staff members of Cebu Vice Gov. John Gregory Osmeña.
“The latest will be Monday. No matter how they deny, the PDEA can see that it is their signature and they were the same persons who executed affidavits in NBI that they have nothing to do with the importation,” said Cuenco (Cebu City, south).
Shipment
To be charged with perjury for allegedly lying under oath that they have no knowledge of the shipment are Joebert Cuesta, Rorela Villegas and Ma. Rowena Roldan, all employees of the vice governor’s office.
Cuesta was identified as the former president of Coastside Ventures Inc., the consignee of the 1,500 kilos of pseudoephedrine. Villegas was the one who represented the firm in a lease contract in Mandaue City where the shipment was to be stored, while Roldan was identified as one of the firm’s stockholders.
Cuenco also said yesterday that he had sent a letter to President Arroyo asking her to personally look into the delay of the filing of complaints against those who are involved in the shipment.
Evidence
“I’m asking her to have a personal hand in the investigation kay gipul-an na mi ug huwat diri sa Cebu. Kuwang pa ang evidence karon but PDEA is already convinced that there is a prima facie evidence. PDEA will just look for more evidence to make the case stronger as the trial goes on,” Cuenco said.
From China
Pseudoephedrine is used in the manufacture of anti-asthma, allergy and cold medicines. But it is also an ingredient of the illegal drug shabu.
The shipment from Shanghai, China was seized at the Cebu International Port last March.
Cuenco also said yesterday that PDEA Chief Anselmo Avenido assured him that the information from Autralia and China about the persons in Cebu who are involved in the shipment of the P3.4 billion worth of pseudoephedrine will be available soon.
Today, Avenido’s representative will hold a conference at Police Regional Office 7 as to the “real score” of the pseudoephedrine investigation.
(April 30, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
