Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla on Friday claimed that the suspects behind the Degamo slay case were bribed with money to retract their testimonies.
Interviewed during DZRH's Damdamin Bayan, Remulla said that the alleged mastermind, suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ Teves, offered the money.
“Maraming, maraming pera ang kalaban, napakaraming pera. Illegal gambling operation ito. Gambling lord ang kalaban natin,” Remulla said.
"Maraming pera ito na balewala na hindi naman niya pinaghirapan na kinikita niya," he added.
The Justice chief said that it is evident that the embattled Negros Oriental lawmaker respects no authority.
"Ang yayaman na ganyan na mapang-api sa tao, parang sinasabi niya na karapatan niyang pumatay ng tao sa kanyang asal. Mali naman 'yon. Walang may karapatan kumuha ng buhay nang may buhay," he added.
Ten suspects had already executed their affidavit of recantation which denied their participation in the crime.
Some of them revealed that they were tortured and forced to falsely tag Teves as the mastermind behind the killing.
According to Remulla, they have sufficient evidence that points to Teves.
"Hindi lang testimonya ng tao ang ating ebidensya, marami po tayong ebidensya na nagpapakita dito sa conspiracy to kill [former] Governor Degamo at conspiracy to commit terror in Negros Oriental," he said.
Meanwhile, the Justice Secretary said Teves is presently in Timor-Leste where he sought an appeal before the Supreme Court.
"Pero ang balita namin ay hindi iga-grant ang appeal niya kaya he have to leave the East Timor again," he added.
Remulla said the suspended lawmaker was with his 13 individuals who flew into the said country through a private jet.
Among the 13 were his family members, chaperones, and alleged members of Teves' criminal organization.
Earlier this week, the House of Representatives suspended Teves for another 60 days for his failure to go home and fulfill his duties as a Congressman.
