JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II’s informant in the P100-million bribe try has withdrawn her claim that former Senator Jamby Madrigal is involved in such attempt for high-profile inmates to retract their testimonies against Senator Leila de Lima.
According to Lalaine Martinez, the wife of drug convict Noel Martinez, she was not exactly sure of what she told Aguirre.
Aguirre, citing Martinez, last week tagged Laguna Rep. Len Alonte-Naguiat and former Senator Jamby Madrigal in the supposed bribery attempt.
He said the two offered P100 million to high-profile inmates to retract their testimonies against De Lima.
Aguirre said Martinez was related to Madrigal who, like Naguiat, belonged to the Liberal Party.
Both Madrigal and Alonte have denied Aguirre’s claims. They also denied they know Martinez personally.
Martinez already apologized to Madrigal.
“I was the only one who told the Secretary before that she might have known about this,” Martinez said referring to Madrigal.
“I had already asked forgiveness on behalf of Secretary Aguirre, because I was the one that fielded (the information) to Secretary Aguirre,” she added.
Martinez, however, insisted on receiving a call from a person who claimed to be Alonte and claimed that she offered money to the inmates.
Aguirre’s informant on Tuesday insisted on the bribe offer to several high-profile convicts to recant their testimonies against De Lima.
Martinez claimed she had evidence to back her claim.
“I have evidence against them, I have a recording,” said Martinez.
Martinez refused to provide details about the recording.
During the press conference at the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday night, Martinez appeared to reporters with her face covered due to fears for her safety.
She declined to confirm Aguirre’s claim that Madrigal and Naguiat were behind the offer for New Bilibid Prison inmates to retract their testimonies against De Lima.
Martinez also wore an arm sling on her right arm where she allegedly sustained a gunshot wound during a supposed ambush.
The NBI also backed Aguirre’s claim that Martinez was ambushed, citing forensics tests.