De Lima denies she favored some politicians in pork barrel scam probe

Senator Leila De Lima on Monday branded as lies the allegations that she favored certain politicians in the Department of Justice's investigation of the pork barrel scam, when she was still the secretary.

De Lima made the pronouncement following a claim made by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II last week that her predecessor at the Department of Justice had "suppressed" evidence to clear some politicians in the multi-billion fund mess.

"Alam niyo ang galing talaga nilang mag-imbento ng mga istorya. Napaka-fertile talaga ng mga imagination nila," De Lima told Senate reporters on Monday.

Last week, Aguirre claimed De Lima had blocked the prosecution of certain politicians allegedly involved in the pork barrel fund scam.

De Lima had earlier branded as mere "rehash" Duterte's threat to link her to businessman Janet Lim Napoles, who is said to have diverted lawmakers' Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations to non-existent non-government organizations.

De Lima recalled the DOJ's efforts during her term as Secretary to prosecute Napoles.

In August 2013, the DOJ overturned an earlier resolution clearing Napoles of the charge, as it recommended that she be charged before the Makati Regional Trial Court.

In April last year, the Makati court sentenced Napoles to reclusion perpetua, or 20 years and one day up to 40 years in jail, after she was found guilty of the charge.

"Sino ba nagpakulong kay Napoles? Sagutin niyo na lang iyan tapos i-implicate ako kay Napoles. That is too unfair," De Lima said last week. —NB, GMA News