By Rey E. Requejo

Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor will be questioned by the National Bureau of Investigation on the alleged P50-million bribery to dismiss a drug case filed against three suspects following their arrests in separate sting operations in Quezon City and Ayala Alabang last Sept. 20.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said all his undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and state prosecutors, including Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zu?o, have been called to a meeting today at 2 p.m.

?Usec. Blancaflor will be investigated by the NBI, along with the alleged P50-million bribe allegedly given to the prosecutors,? he said in a phone interview, referring to the recommended dismissal of the drug charges against Richard Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph and Joseph Tecson.

In a statement, Blancaflor said there was nothing wrong in taking up the case filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

?I categorically deny any involvement in any wrongdoing in connection with the PDEA drug bust,? he said after a newspaper report singled him out as the official who took particular attention on the release of the detainees.

?The truth of the matter was, I was only performing a valid and legal function by inquiring at PDEA why a Dec. 2, 2008 resolution was not yet implemented three weeks after such was made. I was informed by the staff of Director General Dionisio Santiago that an appeal was being made. So I asked for a copy and I left it at that. In fact, I already forgot about it until the aforementioned article appeared,? said Blancaflor.

He said the follow-up was aboveboard, referring to his phone call to Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino, head of the PDEA Special Enforcement Service.

?There was nothing illegal? with what I did. I was only rendering public assistance.?

On Dec. 2, 2008, Zu?o signed a resolution ordering the release of the three suspects, citing, among others, illegal arrest and search. With Jing Villamente, Joel M. Sy Egco and Roy Pelovello