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2 Cabinet officials in pork scam list –Lacson
By ROUCHELLE R. DINGLASAN, GMA News
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(Updated 2:24 p.m.) Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson on Monday revealed that two Cabinet officials under the Aquino administration are included in the 'pork scam' list as conspirators of embattled businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.
"May dalawang nasa administration ngayon na Cabinet officials [na nasa listahan]," Lacson said during the weekly Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel press conference.
The two high-ranking officials are supposedly former congressmen.
"Nangyari 'yung alleged participation nila bago pa sila naging parte ng Gabinete," he added.
Lacson also revealed that a total of 21 former and incumbent senators were included in the 'pork scam' list given to him.
But Lacson denied the inclusion of President Benigno Aquino III on the supposed pork scam list.
Aquino served as Tarlac representative and as senator prior to assuming the presidency in June 2010.
Palace: Same rules for Cabinet members
Three versions of the Napoles list
Palace: Same rules for Cabinet members
During a press conference on Monday, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the same rules apply to Cabinet members accused of being involved in the scheme, although noting this happened when they were still lawmakers.
"Ang ebidensya lang po ang mahalaga dito na maging batayan," he said.
But he said they agree with Lacson that there is a need to determine the veracity of the pork scam lists first because the integrity of the Senate and House of Representatives is very important.
"Dahil po naniniwala tayo na mahalaga ang integridad ng Senado, nananalig din po tayo na gagawin ng lahat ng kinauukulan ang nararapat upang mapanatili at kung maaari ay mapatatag pa ang integridad ng Senado at ng Kamara bilang mga institusyon ng pamahalaan," he said.
Coloma said the President talked to Lacson about this before he left for Myanmar this weekend.
Three versions of the Napoles list
Meanwhile, Lacson confirmed that there were indeed three versions of the 'pork scam' lists provided by Napoles, whistleblower Benhur Luy, and former whistleblower Sandra Cam.
He said that he saw the lists of Napoles and Luy, while he cannot attest to the list purportedly being held by Cam.
Currently, the former senator has an unsigned list, narration of events (from 2000 to 2010), and draft affidavit of Napoles, which was handed to him by Napoles' husband, Jaime.
On March 27, Lacson recalled that he had a meeting with Napoles and her family, a month before the embattled businesswoman talked to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
Napoles did not ask for immunity, he said.
"Eventually, ilalahad din ito sa public… [pero] nasa Senado o kay Secretary De Lima ang may hawak ng disposisyon [ukol dito]," he stressed.
"Ako ay malaya bilang taxpayer upang ibigay sa kinauukulan 'yung listahan," Lacson said.
Meeting with De Lima, TG Guingona
Meeting with De Lima, TG Guingona
Meanwhile, Lacson said he is scheduled to meet with De Lima this week to compare their respective lists.
He added that he met with Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III Monday morning.
The Senate was scheduled to hold a caucus later in the day to discuss the so-called Napoles list, but Guingona, also blue ribbon committe chair, announced in the afternoon that the caucus was canceled.
Guingona also signed a subpoena for De Lima to turn over the list to the Senate.
Guingona also signed a subpoena for De Lima to turn over the list to the Senate.
"I can only attest to the probable authenticity of the documents. Mensahero lang po ako. Ang reliable po dito na magsabi kung sino kasama sa listahan ay si Mrs. Napoles and of course, Benhur Luy," he explained.
But before going to the Senate to hand out the documents, Lacson said he would first secure the President's approval.
"No doubt papayag naman siya (Aquino)," Lacson said.
According to Lacson, aside from Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., there are nine more incumbent senators on the list, and nine former legislators.
On Sunday, Lacson said the list he has of pork barrel scam beneficiaries is potentially damaging to the Senate as an institution.
“Sa pananaw ko may nakapaloob ditong national security, kasi baka magiba Senado pag lumabas itong listahang ito, pag ma-erode sa yung trust ng publiko [sa Senado,] may national security concern,” Lacson said in an interview aired over dzBB.
Lacson also denied the list in his possession has been sanitized.
Napoles reportedly is the mastermind of the pork barrel scam wherein lawmakers' allocations of the Priority Development Assistance Fund are channeled to fake non-government oranizations. Napoles allegedly gave the lawmakers kickbacks. — With a report from Kimberly Jane Tan/KG/TJD/RSJ, GMA News
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