Press Statement

22 November 2014

Busted fix-cal on business as usual? Lack of delicadeza aggravates flaws of our justice system

Caught red-handed, pinned down by pervasive reports of his notoriety, and pushed to the wall, how thick

a skin would it take for a public officer accused of receiving bribes to return to work the next day like its business as usual?

On November 14, 2014, Quezon City Assistant City Prosecutor Raul Y. Desembrana was caught

receiving bribe in a legitimate entrapment operation upon the initiative and complaint of the National

Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) and one its clients Dr. Alexis Montes and set up by the Department of Justice through the National Bureau of Investigation, The bribe was to be in exchange for the promised

dismissal of a case -- which was a nuisance charge anyway -- against Dr. Montes by way of harassment

by filed an eccentric retired military chaplain.

A criminal case for direct bribery and administrative charges were filed against Prosecutor Desembrana

before the Sandiganbayan, but he was able to post bail and was released on the same day. The following

Monday, November 17, 2014, Prosecutor Desembrana reported for work and went through his usual

routine, conducting trials and holding preliminary investigation hearings.

Procedural gaps and loopholes have allowed Desembrana to resume his work even while pending

investigation, but these are being addressed at present by complainants and the NUPL, including the filing

yesterday in the Ombudsman of a motion for preventive suspension. While he can temporarily seek

refuge under the legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty, he must not, given the unmitigated

casualness and stupendous brazenness of his despicable act , be allowed to carry on as if nothing

happened and to secure an opportunity to cover up his tracks, or, heaven forbid, possibly victimize

countless others.

It is incongruous and anomalous that a public prosecutor who wields so much power and comes in direct

contact with parties and lawyers to a case daily and who is caught in flagrante delicto of soliciting and

receiving dirty money is allowed to prance around like it is business as usual. It does not inspire trust and confidence in our justice system.

Corrupt Philippine politicians and public officers have generally been branded greedy, shameless and

remorseless and in the end they run off scot-free and go their merry ways. Would there be any exception?# ebc

Reference:

Edre U. Olalia

Secretary General

09175113373

Ephraim B. Cortez

Asst. Secretary General for Legal Services

09175465798