THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is not keen on the idea of stopping the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) from offering a bounty for the capture of fugitive televangelist, even as the agency insisted that there’s nothing illegal in posting rewards.
In a senate hearing called for by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty cited several laws allowing reward system in the government if only to meet the target or ensure results.
He particularly cited the reward system under the National Internal Revenue Code, Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and Anti-Terrorism Act.
In the case of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who is facing trafficking and child and sexual abuse cases in courts in Davao City and in Pasig, the target is to force him to surrender – or captured through the help of informants.
The DILG in July posted a P10-million reward pooled by private individuals for the information which would lead to Quiboloy’s arrest.
“This is a reward, not a bounty. A bounty is for people who should be arrested because they are convicts of a crime or they have an outstanding warrant of arrest,” Ty said.
“Legal ang pag-alok ng pabuya or reward. Bakit? Unang una, kasama ito sa trabaho namin sa justice sector. Dapat namin ipatupad ang mga criminal laws natin at hindi ito maipapatupad kung ang mga akusado ay hindi matatagpuan. Bukod doon, maliwanag naman sa ating sistema na hindi bawal ang pabuya para mahanap ang isang akusado at madala sa husgado,” Ty added.
However, Atty. Israelito Torreon in his capacity as Quiboloy’s counsel however insisted that DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos’ acceptance of the reward is against Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“Public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept directly or indirectly. The fact that he announced it even if he did not physically accept the money, but offering the reward is already an indirect acceptance of that favor. So therefore it is covered by the law,” Torreon said.
“Public office is a public trust. Any air of suspicion must be prevented,” he added.
Ty was quick to counter Torreon’s statement, “Di ito suhol. Maliwanag sa batas ito ay magiging suhol kung inalok ito para sa pabor. Di naman nagbibigay ng pabor si Secretary Abalos. Ginagawa lang niya ang kanyang tungkulin, ang aming tungkulin na magpatupad ng batas.”
Abalos for his part said – “Never ako nag-solicit, never ko po nahawakan ang pera. Gusto lang nila tumulong at sila po ay nag-aalok ng pera sa mga magbibigay ng paraan upang mahuli si pastor.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
