Probe Drilon et al on ‘pork’ scam

FORMER Makati vice mayor and convenor of the Campaign for Public Accountability Bobby Brillante, called for the reopening of the pork barrel scam probe, especially after Janet Lim Napoles reportedly came out with allegations linking Senators Franklin Drilon and Antonio Trillanes.

During the Aquino administration, then Senate president Drilon seemed bent on derailing the investigation by covering up for some people.

“Their investigation focused only on three opposition senators while other lawmakers, the Commission on Audit (COA) said, were also involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

“This time around we hope the investigation will produce a more complete picture of all those involved in this ‘Mother of All Scams’,” said Brillante.

“Senator Drilon, for example, was photographed with Napoles and there is an obvious association there that cannot be denied. Usually in the Philippines, suppliers socialized with congressmen or senators and their wives to lobby and find ways to connect, but these connections were covered up,” added Brillante.

He called upon Senate Blue Ribbon Chairman Dick Gordon and Senator Chiz Escudero to pursue reopening the PDAF controversy.

“The Senate should produce Janet Napoles as a witness. We expect the Upper House to do this because the Office of the Ombudsman has consistently blocked any attempt to get Napoles to speak,” said Brillante.

Last May, Gordon said he would reopen the pork barrel scam if new evidence is found. Senator Escudero filed a resolution to reopen the case, pointing out that the previous investigation covered only 16 billion out of the 114-billion PDAF that COA reported.

“We heard that Napoles submitted a list of personalities to then President Aquino; what happened to that list? Napoles should be asked to resubmit that list to the Senate for final determination as to who should be indicted in addition to Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla.”

Brillante also raised the question why Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales is opposing the reopening of the PDAF investigation,

“Is the Ombudsman afraid the revelations from Napoles would indict more public officials? Is the Ombudsman part of a conspiracy to cover up some people?”