THE bribery case involving casino mogul Jack Lam and officials of the Bureau of Immigration is a case of entrapment versus entrapment based on the testimonies of key personalities implicated in the crime, according to Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee.
Gordon said that from what had unfolded in the four hearings conducted by the Blue Ribbon, there were two cases of extortion, which the key players had been trying to pass off as entrapment operations.
“I think this is a case of entrapment versus entrapment,” said Gordon.
His committe is investigating the alleged bribery that arose from the arrest of more than 1,300 Chinese nationals working in the Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clarkfield, Pampanga, owned by Jack Lam.
“More or less, it was clear there’s extortion. Were there two sets of extortion? The two deputy commissioners extorted?” asked Gordon.
“I think it tightened up a little bit more now because of the presence of the partner of Jack Lam, namely Charlie “Atong” Ang and the two employees of Jack Lam, who testified. what is happening—appearing there’s an extortion. Too good, we got documents to prove that money was taken, that money was given, ” said Gordon.
In the last hearing, retired police general Wenceslao “Wally” A. Sombero Jr., Lam’s alleged middleman in the bribery scandal, testified that former Deputy Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles asked money from him for the alleged release of the arrested Chinese workers.
While the members of the committee were convinced that it was an extortion case on the part of Argosino and Robles, Gordon said they still have to get some details to firmly establish that it was also the case in Calima and his group.
Gordon is optimistic that the second extortion incident would be firmly established in the next hearing, which he hopes would also be the last one so he can wrap up the investigation, in aid of legislation.
“What is more important is what we will tackle in the next hearing—whether there was another extortion,” said Gordon.
The Blue Ribbon chairman said he willI include the incident involving former BI Intelligence chief Charles Calima and BI Commissioner Jaime. Morente and explain about the money and why no spot report. He said this is intelligence (work).
The senator also expressed optimism that in the next hearing, the committee members would be able to finalize what amendments to existing laws are needed and what new legislation should they come up with.
He also expressed hope that Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre would also be able to expound on his reaction to the indirect bribery offer to him.