Roxas vows prosecution of ‘pork’ scam players

Administration presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II vowed prosecution of those involved in the controversial pork barrel scam, regardless of political affiliation, if he gets elected in the May elections.

In an interview with GMA News anchor Mel Tiangco for “Wanted: President,” Roxas confirmed that he would continue the investigation into the multi-billion priority development assistance fund (PDAF) scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles.

“Yes. I mean ngayon pa lang, hindi ito pangako. Ngayon pa lang iniimbestigahan ito. 'Di ba Liberal party ka man o hindi, ang Ombudsman pinapatawan ka ng kaso,” Roxas said.

“Hindi namin poproteksyonan ang katiwalian. Hindi namin tutulungan ang baluktot,” he added.

Several allies of the Aquino administration had been tagged in the PDAF scam, including Energy Regulatory Commission chief Zenaida Ducut and former Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon.

Roxas, meanwhile, refused to comment on the cases of Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., and Juan Ponce Enrile, explaining that their fate was now up to the court.

“Pagka nagkomentaryo diyan interference with the third branch of government,” he said.

Enrile, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court, is one of the three senators facing graft and plunder charges for allegedly pocketing millions of PDAF funds.

Senators Estrada and Revilla are both detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City. — ALG/DVM, GMA News