Loi Ejercito on pork scam whistleblower’s allegations: ‘I’m hurting’

Former Senator Loi Ejercito, who was implicated in the pork barrel scam after whistleblower Benhur Luy named her as a recipient of kickbacks, said she was "hurting" due to the allegations.

“If you're in my place you'll feel the same. Masakit. Pero ayaw ko na ma-stress ako. Ayaw ko na may tension ako dahil may edad na ako,” Ejercito said in a report on GMA's “24 Oras” on Wednesday.

Ejercito also said that she is ready to prove her innocence.

“Bahala sila i-drag yung pangalan ko. I'm willing to go anywhere, kahit saan nila ako dalhin,” she said.

Ejercito added that she is also hurt by the allegations hurled against her son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who has been charged with plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam and who was also named by the whistleblowers as having received kickbacks.

'To be expected'

Ejercito added that it did not surprise her when Ruby Tuason, a family friend, recently returned to the country and implicated Estrada and their family in the scam.

“That is to be expected dahil nakausap ko na yan sa America noong araw,” Ejercito said without elaborating.

Senator Bong Revilla, another senator charged with plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam—the others being Estrada and Senator Juan Ponce Enrile—said it seemed like certain groups were conniving against them.

“Para bang nagkakaroon na ng sabwatan ba, kung ano mang tawag dun, na parang minamadali na nila dahil gusto nilang makita tayong makulong. Pero sabi ko nga, as I've said before, I am ready, I am not afraid,” Revilla said.

According to Senator Miriam Santiago, her three embattled colleagues have options to consider, including filing a motion for reconsideration or asking for a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals.

However, she added, if the plunder raps against the three are filed at the Sandiganbayan they will be automatically suspended as Senators. — Andrei Medina/BM, GMA News