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Aguirre: Napoles disclosed new names in pork scam


Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday said Janet Lim Napoles has given him "in strictest confidence" the names of several officials involved in the multi-billion pork barrel scam.

However, the Justice Secretary said he cannot reveal the names until the process to determine whether Napoles would be fully admitted to the justice department's Witness Protection Program (WPP).

"Binanggit po niya ang marami ngunit sapagkat...tulad po ng sinabi niya sa akin, ito ay given to me under the strictest confidence kaya't hindi ko po maaaring i-reveal ngayon until matapos 'yung proseso kung bibigyan namin siya ng full protective coverage ng WPP,"  Aguirre said on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

The alleged mastermind has been "provisionally" covered by the WPP under the Department of Justice (DOJ) since February 27, 2018 as her camp said she was open to becoming a "state witness" in the P10-billion scheme.

During the interview, Aguirre alleged that the previous administration had a hand in preventing high-ranking officials from being tagged to  the case.

"Alam naman natin na 'yung pagkanta niya noong una ay produkto lamang ng selective prosecution noong nakaraang administrasyon at sinabi niya noon na napakaraming involved dito na mga senador, mga congressman, pero bakit sa senador ay tatatlo lamang ang inakusahan at parang pinili lamang sina Senator Enrile, sina Senator Revilla at saka si Senator Estrada?" Aguirre said.

He cited his predecessor Senator Leila de Lima for her failure to release a following batch of names, saying it was a ploy to "cover up" their involvement.

Aside from Napoles, plunder charges were filed against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. in connection to the pork barrel scam. 

He reiterated that Napoles has vowed to "tell all" this time.

Asked about criticism insinuating that Napoles' word could be "weaponized" against those who opposed the administration, Aguirre said those making the claims "are afraid of their own ghosts." — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News

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