Herbert Colangco to proceed with testimony vs. de Lima

Even as several witnesses recanted their testimony against Senator Leila de Lima in the drug case against her, convicted drug dealer Herbert Colangco insisted that he would not withdraw his statements.

In John Consulta's Monday "24 Oras" report, Colangco insisted he would continue to testify against de Lima on the Bilibid prison drug trade.

"Kahit sino pang Poncio Pilatong nandiyan, hindi pwede. Bakit mag-recant po ako? Ito ang katotohanan. Hawak ko. 'Di ko pagpalit sa kasinungalingan," said Colangco.

He and his representatives also claimed that a group was secretly approaching witnesses to weaken the case against de Lima.

Colangco also said that there were matters he would reveal about de Lima and their drug transactions, and these claims were supported by evidence.

However, de Lima's lawyer denied they were coercing witnesses. Furthermore, they believed that the cases against her ought to be dismissed as soon as possible.

"Kung gagapang kami dapat noon pa namin ginawa. Pero hindi namin gawa yan, at walang instruction si Secretary de Lima na gawin yan," countered de Lima's lawyer Atty. Filibon Tacardon. "Naniniwala kami sa katotohanan at yan ay lalabas at lalabas rin, mag-recant man siya o hindi."

Colangco continued his testimony in court on Monday, during which he reiterated that would hand over P1.2 million to Corrections Bureau Director Franklin Bucayu every month. He also testified that he would hand over money to de Lima's former aide Joenel Sanchez.

Colangco would continue his testimony on June 27.

Speaking before Congress, both Bucayu and Sanchez denied Colangco's claims. De Lima had earlier also denied there were such pay-offs.

Meanwhile, de Lima asked the court for a June 19-25 medical furlough for major surgery on her uterus. — DVM, GMA News