Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is suspending a Bureau of Corrections official who allegedly leaked a confidential memorandum about high-profile inmates living lavish lifestyles inside the AFP Detention Center after testifying in Congress.

Speaking to radio DZMM, Aguirre said BuCor Legal Office chief Alvin Herrera Lim has an "ax to grind" after leaking a memo that said Aguirre allegedly allowed special privileges for the inmates in exchange for their testimonies.

The justice chief said Lim was already found guilty of misconduct and is facing another case before the Department of Justice. He said Lim is also facing a case for unauthorized practice of law in Lucena without permission.

"He has an ax to grind against me...I think we will be preparing an order of suspension against Lim," he said.

Several news reports earlier said a confidential memorandum dated December 9, 2016 and signed by Lim revealed that high-profile inmates detained in the AFP Custodial and Detention Center "continue to enjoy lavish lifestyles e.g. use of electronic gadgets, smart television sets, air conditioning units, internet, cellular phones."

It said PNP and BuCor elements invoked that they "are just following the express instruction of the Hon. Vitaliano N. Aguirre II to allow the entry of the above-enumerated gadgets in return for the testimony they gave during the congressional inquiry on the proliferation of drugs inside New Bilibid Prison."

In the DZMM interview, Aguirre said the confidential memo should not have been released.

"This is a violation of confidentiality...Kapag may premature release, there is criminal liability on who released it," he said.

He again denied that he issued a memo or gave any express order that allowed the inmates to use smart TVs, cellphones, internet and other electronic gadgets inside the AFP Detention Center. He also said Lim's memo relied on "hearsay."

"Wala naman pong memo. Waa naman akong natatandaan na memo. Kung may memo, bakit di pa ilabas? Bakit installment ang press release?" he said.

"Wala akong memo na pinapayagan ko yan. Hindi ako maaaring makapayag ng bawal na gawain. Wala naman ako sinasabi," he said.

However, he also said the BuCor Director General has already removed airconditioning units at the AFP Custodial and Detention Center and replaced the BuCor complement in the center.

Aguirre said he has not returned to the custodial center after the inmates testified before Congress last year.