NBI absolves three NLRC commissioners of involvement in P2-million extort case

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has absolved the three commissioners of the National Labor Relation Commission (NLRC) of their involvement in the P.2-million extortion complaint in relation to alleged “illegal dismissal.”

Lawyer Rogelio Mamauag, chief of the NBI Anti-Organized Crime Division (AOCD), disclosed there was no evidence that would pin down Commissioner Herminio Suelo, 4th division presiding officer, Commissioners Numeriano Villena and Angelo Palanan, on the allegation involving extortion.

“We have not found any evidence to prove that they were in one way or another involved in the extortion, although they were all signatories to the resolution of the case,” according to Mamauag.

The three were earlier invited at the AOCD at the NBI headquartes to shed light on the complained extortion activity of the staff of Villena.

“They were called to the NBI headquarters for some clarification. But they were not under investigation. And we were able to establish that they have nothing to do with the extortion,” Mamauag explained.

Operatives of NBI earlier had arrested Remedios Ferrer Mejorada, labor arbitration associate assigned to the office of Villena after it has accepted some P35,000 bribe money as part of the P190,000 which was already given to him on Nov. 2 by Beverly Israel Cadiz who is also a labor arbitration associate but was assigned to Tuguegarao City.

Villena who was in his office then had denied he had a part in the extortion incident, saying those persons who did that only used his office for their transaction without his knowledge.

Mejorada, for his part, told NBI he had no knowledge of the transaction with his superior Villena.

Cadiz was charged with violation of Section 3(b) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and violation of Article 229 or Revealing Secrets under the Revised Penal Code before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Quezon City 2nd Assistant City Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco recommended P30,000 bail and P12,000 bail also for graft case and for violation of Article 229.

Mejorada who was charged with violation of Article 229 was granted P12,000 bail bond for his temporary release.

A criminal case and robbery extortion were recommended against Cadiz and Mejorada. –Pat C. Santos, Daily Tribune