Guingona defends release of unsigned Napoles affidavit

Escudero said he will grab the opportunity to ask questions on Napoles' list  during the Senate probe on the misuse of Malampaya funds on May 22.

 

“Yung iimbitahan naman namin [sa next Senate hearing] ay ‘yung mga naimbitahan din sa hearing sa ‘pork’ scam.  Di nila ako mapipigilang magtanong tungkol dito (Napolist) kahit tungkol pa sa Malampaya ang topic,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the joint congressional inquiry on the use of Yolanda rehabilitation funds.

 

De Lima has yet to turn over the list and affidavit she said was given to her by Napoles before the latter underwent an operation.

 

She said she is considering asking for an extension from the Senate panel—which issued a subpoena for the list—for her to submit the documents.

 

Committee chair Teofisto Guingona III has yet to release the guest list for the upcoming committee hearing as of posting time.

 

Escudero, who has earlier denied transacting with Napoles or with her NGOs, said he was no longer surprised about his inclusion in the list.

 

“Hindi na bago ang ganitong [pagba]balik sa akin ng akusasyon ng pinaiimbestigahan ng Senado. Normal na iyon at bahagi na ng trabaho ko ‘yun,” he said.

 

The existence of at least two different “Napolists,” Escudero noted, could be part of the trader’s ploy to confuse the public and muddle the investigation of the pork barrel scam.

 

“Binigay niya ang listahan sa iba’t ibang tao pero iisa ang utos niya: na huwag ilabas ito. Kung ako ang witness, isusumite ko ang affidavit ko sa Ombudsman… Definitely [wise] ang ginawa ni Napoles kasi napagulo niya ang sitwasyon at nagkakaturuan na,” he said.