By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Claiming that he was bothered by his conscience, another prosecution witness Jerry Valeroso said he is recanting his allegations against former Senator Leila de Lima in her remaining drug case.
Valeroso admitted that he was “disturbed by my conscience” and had planned to recant his allegations as early as 2019.
“However, due to fearing for my life and the safety of my family and loved one[s], I lost the guts to do so,” the retired cop said.
To recall, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 Judge Gener Gito ruled that the testimonies of the prosecution’s 9 witnesses, including Valeroso, “were not able to clearly establish that there exists a conspiracy among them to commit illegal drug trading.”
The court in November allowed De Lima to post bail after nearly 7 years in detention.
Valeroso had alleged that he saw P65 million worth of drug money inside the kubol of a Chinese inmate when De Lima was still a justice secretary.
In a Dec. 19 letter, he told the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 2016 that he wanted to take back his claims “to set free all accused who were wrongfully charged”.
Valeroso added that the allegations were “pure hearsay and full of lies.”
He said he would submit an official affidavit of recantation “as soon as I consult my lawyer.”
(IAmigo/MNM)
