A Muntinlupa court affirmed its decision allowing former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Rafael Ragos to testify and recant his allegations against former senator Leila de Lima. READ:
In its latest decision, the Muntinlupa court said the recantation of Ragos should be tested in court.
“This Court recaps that the interests of justice would best be served if the supposed recantation of Mr. Ragos be tested in a public trial, with sufficient opportunity given the prosecution to cross-examine the recanting witness,” the court said, adding that Ragos’ original testimony would still be considered because they need to determine which testimony should be given credence.
The Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 added that Ragos’ recantation is subject to a test of credibility, “including the demeanor of the recanting witness on the stand.”on two occasions to De Lima’s home as instructed by a convict. His story was part of allegations that De Lima, former justice secretary, enabled drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison and collected money to fund her 2016 senatorial bid.