Kerwin Espinosa urged to file raps over alleged false claim vs. De Lima

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento dared self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa to reveal the names of individuals who allegedly made him  bear false witness against detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima.

According to Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report on Friday, Malcontento urged Espinosa to file a complaint so that an investigation may be initiated against those concerned.

“Magcomplain siya at titingnan namin kung sino ‘yun. Mag-name names siya para maimbestigahan. Kasi kung hindi siya mag-name names, masyadong ano ‘yan self-serving ‘yan,” Malcontento said.

(He must file a complaint and we will see who that is. He must bear names to be investigated. Because if he does not reveal names, that is too self-serving.)

The prosecutor general expressed confidence that key witnesses would not recant their statements despite Espinsosa's retraction of Espinosa.

“Medyo malabo na kasi yung unang kaso, dalawang kaso kasi yan, yung unang kaso tapos na yung prosecution… Doon sa pangalawang kaso patapos na kami, so wala kaming nakikitang danger na may mag-recant recant,” Malcontento said.

(It's a bit vague now because the first case, because it's two cases, the first case was over… In the second case we were almost done, so we don't see any danger of other individuals recanting.)

The camp of de Lima hoped that this will be the beginning of the other individuals to recant their statements who were allegedly pressured to turn against her.

“Sana samahan nila si Kerwin Espinosa sa katotohanan yung strength na pinakita ni Kerwin Espinosa sa paglabas ay maging strength din nila upang magsabi na ng katotohanan,” Attorney Boni Tacardon, lawyer of de Lima, said.

(I hope they join Kerwin Espinosa in siding with the truth, the strength that Kerwin Espinosa showed in coming out will also be their strength to tell the truth.)

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice is looking into filing perjury complaints against Espinosa following his recantation of all of his drug allegations against de Lima. —NB, GMA News