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Umali says House witnesses consistent, doesn't buy torture claim

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Trishia Billones, ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bZ2M0KsA7pI" width="600"></iframe></figure>The House Justice Committee chair on Thursday said he does not believe the witnesses who testified in their probe on the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) were tortured to testify against Senator Leila de Lima.Congressman Reynaldo Umali told ANC&#x27;s Headstart the witnesses were calm and collected as they rehashed their knowledge on the issue.&quot;They were too cool in conveying what they want to say. And then when we opened the floor interpellation, all of the testimonies that they mentioned in the direct examination were somehow retained, established, and they did not change their story,&quot; he said.De Lima on Monday accused the Duterte administration of pressuring inmates into <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/20/16/govt-torturing-inmates-to-fabricate-testimonies-says-de-lima">fabricating false testimonies</a> against her.She claimed the inmates were being taken by the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) for &quot;overnight interrogations,&quot; which she said is a euphemism for psychological torture.But Umali said, the witnesses being able to hold their ground when the members of the House Committee interpellated them proves otherwise.&quot;To me, they have withstood, if you are in a court, the cross-examination to my mind. Although some of them were too cool to even add more to it that somehow made their testimonies incredible,&quot; he said.Nine witnesses, composed of convicted robbers, kidnappers and former government agents, have so far testified before the House, alleging that De Lima got payoffs from an extensive narcotics operation inside the New Bilibid Prison to beef up her 2016 senatorial bid.<ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read">	<li>LOOK: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/v2/09/21/16/look-the-witnesses-who-testified-vs-de-lima">The witnesses who testified vs De Lima</a></li></ul>Umali said, however, that they expect to get more information from NBP gang leader Jaybee Sebastian, who was mentioned during the hearings as having ordered some inmates to raise funds for De Lima through illegal drugs.He said, they plan to bring in Sebastian into the hearings soon, as well as De Lima&#x27;s alleged henchman, Jonel Sanchez. They are also looking into bringing in De Lima&#x27;s alleged driver-lover, Ronnie Dayan.<ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read">	<li>READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/21/16/alleged-de-lima-bagman-under-govt-custody-faces-probe">Alleged De Lima bagman under govt custody, faces probe</a></li></ul>&quot;We&#x27;ll probably issue a subpoena. We have actually agreed to issue a subpoena, but when this will happen is still hanging [because] as you very well know, next week will be the start of plenary budget,&quot; he said.Umali maintained, they do not need to call in all 30 witnesses as earlier announced as long as they are able to establish something that will enable Congress to pursue legislative measures.

The House Justice Committee chair on Thursday said he does not believe the witnesses who testified in their probe on the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) were tortured to testify against Senator Leila de Lima.

The House Justice Committee chair on Thursday said he does not believe the witnesses who testified in their probe on the drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) were tortured to testify against Senator Leila de Lima.

Umali says House witnesses consistent, doesn't buy torture claim

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Umali says House witnesses consistent, doesn't buy torture claim

Trishia Billones,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 22, 2016 02:52 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 22, 2016 03:05 PM PHT

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