Senators named in scam deny raps
SEN. Franklin Drilon yesterday proposed a limitation in the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) amid reports some lawmakers have allegedly made available their PDAF to fake non-government organizations for what turned out to be ghost projects.
Drilon made the suggestion as he clarified that not all PDAF or pork barrel funds are being used for irregularities.
“The reality is, there would be some who legitimately need PDAF. I think, the reality is let us limit the use of the PDAF to certain activities,” Drilon said.
He said medical assistance and educational scholarship are among the legitimate activities that need to be supported by the PDAF.
“I’m not saying the reports are true but to avoid this kind of negative reports, if we cannot abolish PDAF, let us limit the use,” Drilon said.
A report said at least 28 legislators, including five senators, have been linked to the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scheme devised by a certain Janette “Jenny” Lim-Napoles.
Drilon said he makes sure that his P200 million pork barrel every year goes to the right recipients through proper channels.
He asked why the implementation of the PDAF projects was given to non-governmental organizations.
The five senators linked to the pork barrel scam are resigned Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr., acting Senate president Jinggoy Estrada, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Gregorio Honasan.
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago has urged the five senators to go on leave while the NBI is investigating the scam.
However, Drilon clarified there is nothing in the Senate rules which would compel the involved senators to go on leave.
“Remember these are just media reports at this stage,” he said.
Drilon also said there is no need for the Senate to conduct a parallel investigation on the alleged pork barrel scam. He said an NBI investigation would be enough.
Sen. Francis Escudero has filed Senate Resolution No. 40 directing the blue ribbon committee to conduct an inquiry into the pork barrel scam.
Enrile said he will submit to an investigation by the NBI and other agencies, including a Senate committee.
Marcos and Revilla see the 2016 presidential elections as the possible motive in linking them in the P10-billion fund diversion to alleged ghost projects.
Marcos said he is willing to be investigated. He said he had reviewed the procedures that are being followed in implementing projects funded by his office with respect to the PDAF.
Estrada remained silent.
Honasan challenged concerned government agencies to release all records of transactions of all senators and not only those named.
Marcos and Enrile maintained that they do not know Napoles.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said whistleblower Benhur Luy and his family would be given security under the Witness Protection Program immediately.
She said she had offered the WPP in the past and is only reiterating it now owing to the “heat generated by the series of exposes.”
De Lima cleared Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. of involvement in the alleged scam.
“I haven’t seen any document or any indication that could point to involvement of ES (Ochoa) directly or indirectly in this scam,” said De Lima.
Ochoa was implicated after his law firm, Marcos Ochoa Serapio Tan (MOST) represented Napoles in previous cases.
De Lima said Ochoa has been on leave from the law firm while Napoles is no longer client of MOST.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva denied any knowledge of the pork barrel scam after his name was mentioned as among the 23 members of the House Representatives whose office allegedly made available their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to dummy non-government organizations of Napoles.
Villanueva, who served as party-list representative of the Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) in Congress until 2010, said he was surprised that his name was included in the list of lawmakers who had their PDAF liquidated by trading company JLN Corporation owned by Napoles through the bogus NGOs.– PNA, JP Lopez, Gerard Naval and Ashzel Hachero
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