OPTIMISTIC that this time, principal main character Wenceslao "Wally" Sombero will spill the bean, Senator Richard Gordon confirmed that Sombero will be attending the February 16 Senate hearing to shed light on many issues on the controversial Bureau of Immigration bribery scandal.
Gordon, who chairs the Senate blue ribbon committee, said Sombero expressed willingness to submit himself to questioning and he promised to tell the truth on the alleged bribery scandal.
Sombero, who is the alleged middleman of on-line gambling mogul Jack Lam in the bribery issue, failed to attend several hearings leading Gordon to issue a possible contempt against him should he continue to ignore the Senate invitation.
It can be recalled that, Gordon who was obviously piqued for Sombero failure to attend in the last hearing recommended that Sombero be cited in contempt for repeatedly snubbing Senate summonses.
Ted Contacto, Sombero's counsel explained that his client is not evading nor making any alibis on his medical condition.
Sombero, according to reports, went to Singapore last January 17 then proceeded to Canada for a supposed medical checkup.
Sombero said he was able to get the nod of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II as he sought his approval to leave the country for medical attention.
He also confirmed attending several engagements as president of an on-line gaming association.
Gordon said he wants to hear from Sombero if the money that came out is P60 million or P50 million to dismissed Immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles.
Gordon said, this is the right time that Sombero must face Argosino and Robles as the two officials denied that they are extorted money and accused Sombero of going around the law.
According to reports, Argosino and Robles extorted money from Lam supposedly in exchange for the release of some of the 1,316 illegal Chinese workers arrested at Lam’s Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga last November.
But Argosino and Robles argued that this was part of their operation to entrap Jack Lam.
Another police general, Charles Calima Jr., reportedly received P18 million of the loot.
Earlier, Sombero sought the help of the Senate as he has been reportedly receiving death threat. Gordon said he will provide the necessary security for Sombero's safety. (SunStar Philippines)
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