Benhur Luy says Gigi, Ruby complained money for Enrile short by P500K, admits protest 'only verbal'

Prosecution witness Benhur Luy on Tuesday said former lawyer Jessica “Gigi” Reyes and socialite turned state witness Ruby Tuason complained that the money supposedly for then Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was short of P500,000.

Luy made the revelation during the cross examination on him conducted by lawyer Christian Diaz, counsel for Reyes, during the trial on the 15 counts of graft charges filed against Enrile.

Enrile, Reyes and businesswoman Janet Napoles are facing graft charges for the alleged misuse of the former senator's pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

When asked by Diaz, Luy said he was not physically present when Tuason supposedly handed the money.

“But I received a complaint from Gigi Reyes that it was lacking P500,000 for Enrile. We received a complaint from Ruby Tuason that it was lacking P500,000 supposedly for Enrile,” Luy said.

Luy earlier identified Tuason as an agent for securing supposed kickbacks for Enrile’s office. Tuason has admitted to the same when she testified on the bail hearing of Reyes in 2017.

“She (Tuason) went to our office since there was a complaint that the money we gave for Enrile...there was a complaint from Ma'am Gigi that there was [a] lacking P500,000,” Luy said.

Diaz asked Luy if he has documentary evidence to support such a claim.

“Is this reduced in writing, letter, notes, or  anything that would show that what you are telling us is in fact true and not your mere say so?” Diaz said.

Luy responded that such a complaint was only made verbally since it is an "illegal" transaction.

“Complaint [written in] documents saying the kickback is lacking P500,000? Ilegal nga po iyong ginagawa namin e. Verbal lang," he said.

Diaz argued that Luy’s answer was not responsive and should be stricken off court records, but Associate Justice Ronald Moreno did not allow it.

The trial on the graft charges against Enrile and other co-accused will resume on June 20.—LDF, GMA Integrated News