Jaybee Sebastian at the drug trade hearing at Congress. NI脩O JESUS ORBETA/INQUIRER PHOTO
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday granted immunity to kidnapping convict Jaybee Sebastian in connection with his testimony in the House of Representatives inquiry into the proliferation of drugs at the New Bilibid Prison.
During the last day of the lower chamber鈥檚 inquiry in aid of legislation, committee on justice chairperson Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali announced that the Speaker has approved Sebastian鈥檚 request to be granted immunity from suit as he expressed willingness to testify.
搁贰础顿:听Sebastian denies he鈥檚 De Lima asset, seeks immunity from suit
Sebastian said 鈥淭hank you鈥� upon being informed of this.
In his affidavit, Sebastian admitted raising P10 million campaign funds for Senator Leila De Lima 鈥斅爓hen she was still justice secretary 鈥� from the Bilibid drug trade.
Sebastian said he gave the payola for De Lima to the latter鈥檚 former aide Jonel Sanchez, who Sebastian alleged had a relationship with De Lima.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said it was not for the Department of Justice to ask for Sebastian鈥檚 immunity. It was Sebastian鈥檚 lawyer Eduardo Arriba who asked the committee to recommend to the Speaker for Sebastian鈥檚 immunity.
READ: Sebastian denies being De Lima鈥檚 鈥榝avored鈥� drug lord
Aguirre also said the DOJ would study Sebastian鈥檚 request to be placed under the Witness Protection Program. JE/rga
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