JUSTICE Secretary Raul Gonzalez yesterday ordered the NBI to reopen its probe on John Resado, one of the state prosecutors who dismissed the drug charges against the so-called Alabang Boys after allegedly receiving bribe money.

Gonzalez asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council for advise over the bank deposits of Resado following the circulation of a one-page anonymous letter faxed to his office, and to NBI Director Nestor Mantaring and ABS-CBN news anchor Ces Drilon.

The letter sender, signed "Juan dela Cruz," claimed that he has personal knowledge of the alleged P800,000 deposit to the joint account of Resado and his wife Rowena in Banco de Oro (BDO) in Bacoor, Cavite.

Gonzalez asked AMLC executive director Vicente Aquino if the deposits fall under the ambit of anti-money laundering investigation, "considering that Resado is involved with the Alabang Boys’ illegal drugs case."

Gonzalez pointed out that the deposit was made on Dec. 2, 2008 the day Resado came out with a resolution dismissing the drug charges.

Resado, in a press briefing, said the P800,000 deposit was part of his and his wife’s revolving capital for their money-lending business at a market in Camiling, Tarlac.

Resado said they have a bank account in BDO branch in Bacoor where they used to reside but the money was deposited in the BDO branch in SM North Edsa in Quezon City.

He said they have been living in Quezon City since 2003 and have yet to have their account transferred from Cavite.

Resado said the money was given to him by their clients in November but was deposited only on December 2.

He insisted that the fact that the deposit was made on the same day of the resolution only showed good faith.

Resado could not recall whether it was he or his wife who deposited the P800,000.

Resado said the anonymous letter was clearly intended to discredit him. – Evangeline de Vera