Mindanaotoday | More support for PH judiciary needed: Pacquiao
THE judiciary will get the full support it deserves under a Manny Pacquiao government.
Pacquiao, incumbent senator who’s gunning for the presidency, underscored the importance of giving the country’s courts full financial support as he reiterated his appeal for a swift resolution of the drug cases filed against detained Sen. Leila De Lima.
The Promdi presidential candidate lamented that the sluggish resolution of the De Lima cases has caught the attention of the international community.
To keep the country from further humiliation due to long-delayed resolution of cases, Pacquiao said government must ensure its full support for the judiciary,
“As for me my only appeal is for us to help the judiciary which is prevented by limited budget from fully functioning,” the Mindanaoan senator said.
The De Lima cases have again triggered new controversies as key witnesses implicating her to involvement in drug trade have recanted their testimonies.
Following the recantation of confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos executed an affidavit declaring that he made false allegations against De Lima. Ragos’ previous testimony is being used as prosecution evidence against the opposition senator.
Both Espinosa and Ragos said they were coerced into pinning down De Lima on drug charges.
Pacquiao said the recantation of Ragos may put his credibility in bad light.
He admitted that he is not ready to give his full faith on the recantation of Ragos and Espinosa.
“Ako sakin di na sila kapani-paniwala. dahil pabago-bago yung salita eh. Paano mo paniwalaan ‘yan sila,” he said. (As for me they are no longer credible because they have been changing their statements. How can one believe them?)
However, Pacquiao stressed that his views on the recent retraction controversies are not important.
The senator stressed that what needs to be pursued is the immediate resolution of the De Lima cases. (PR)