Palace: Admin allies not spared from pork barrel scam probe

Not even allies of the administration will be spared from the investigation on the “travesty” that was the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam, Malacañang said Wednesday.

"This travesty will be investigated and we will investigate it no matter where the evidence will lead,” said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda at a press conference. “That's from the President himself."

President Benigno Aquino III had earlier said that the scam, which supposedly concerns anomalous allocations of pork barrel funds to fake non-government organizations, will thoroughly be investigated.

However, this was before it was revealed that at least 15 lawmakers allied with the Aquino administration may also be involved in the alleged scam.

On Wednesday, Lacierda said the possible involvement of some administration lawmakers will not affect the investigation.

"Wherever we are guided by the evidence will prusue that. We will investigate from top to bottom. There's not going to be any stone unturned," he said.

Senators receive P200 million each year in pork barrel (formally known as the Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF), while House members get P70 million. Half of this amount is allocated to infrastructure projects, while the other half must go to "soft" projects such as scholarship programs, medical assistance to indigent patients and livelihood support programs. — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News