Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales involved in the “PDEA leaks” was found guilty of perjury for lying under oath before a court of law.
Morales was the infamous witness in the “PDEA leaks” scandal which tagged President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., actress Maricel Soriano, and other high-profile personalities in illegal drugs but later found out to have given lies and made-up stories.
“May this serve as a reminder to everyone that the court of law was founded by truth and justice where lies and falsehood have no place as it erodes the credibility of our government in dealing with its affairs,” Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said.
In an 11-page decision, the San Fernando, Pampanga Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch IV found Morales guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime charged under Art. 180 of the Revised Penal Code.
While performing his functions as a PDEA agent in 2011, Morales willfully and unlawfully gave false testimonies under oath against two illegal drug suspects namely: Albert Co Chua aka Cai Hai Ying and Aaron Tan aka Wen Chen Miao.
After a few months, he withdrew and retracted his affidavit against the two illegal drug suspects, claiming he was under duress and only coerced by his superior.
Morales added that his conscience could not take that someone innocent shall be punished for something they did not do.
However, he failed to convince the court of his defense saying “The element of duress should be based on real, imminent or reasonable fear for one’s life or limb and should not be speculative, fanciful or remote fear.”
“The defense was not able to show even the very least that his fear for his own welfare or level of duress was real or existing,” said the court.
There was no evidence to support the accused’s claim that he was forced and intimidated by Director Lyndon Aspacio to execute the Affidavit and to testify in court.
The court sentenced him to four months of imprisonment and a fine of P1,000.
It can be recalled that Morales and former National Police Commission staff Eric Santiago were just released from detention after being cited in contempt for lying during senate hearings.
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