JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday reiterated his earlier claim that the vehicle of Lalaine Martinez, the individual who disclosed to him the alleged P100 million bribe attempt on high profile inmates to retract their earlier statements against Senator Leila De Lima, was ambushed on Friday.
Lalaine is the wife of Noel Martinez, a high value inmate who is currently detained at the military’s custodial center in Camp Aguinaldo, along with other inmates who testified against De Lima during the congress inquiry on the illegal drug trade at the state penitentiary last September.
"The ambush is real, I am no liar," the justice secretary said following reports that he was victimized by a "bum steer."
Aguirre also showed to the media pictures as evidence that an ambush happened at the Sta. Ana race track last Friday.
Aguirre earlier claimed that Lalaine, an alleged cousin of former Senator Jamby Madrigal, was the one who informed him that Madrigal and incumbent laguna Representative Marlyn Alonte were the ones behind the P100 million offer to Bilibid inmates to retract their statements against De Lima.
Aguirre also claimed that he received an information that Madrigal had asked her cousin Lalaine to get in touch with Bilibid inmates.
Madrigal, who called Aguirre's accusations "baseless, malicious and outright" denied that allegations and demanded from the DOJ chief a public apology.
Madrigal also said she does not have any relation to a certain Lalaine Madrigal Martinez.
Alonte likewise denied the allegations and said she is willing to surrender her cellphone and submit herself to an investigation.
According DOJ Undersecretary Erickson Balmes, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation are now verifying other details on the recent ambush.
The agency is also probing if the attempt on Lalaine's life is connected to the inmates' supposed refusal to the alleged P100 million offer. (SunStar Philippines)