Jinggoy Estrada irked by Kiko Pangilinan's remark on Napoles cases in flood control projects probe

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday took exception to Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan's remarks during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing that the multi-billion-peso flood control projects controversy may not have happened if those detained in connection with the Napoles pork barrel scam were convicted.

In a manifestation in the Senate plenary session, Estrada said Pangilinan's remarks were malicious and uncalled for.

"Remember, Senator Pangilinan, that I was acquitted by the court. Are you questioning the decision of the court acquitting this representation?" Estrada said in the plenary.

"You are a lawyer. I am not. You should not be talking that way. You are undermining the judicial processes in the country," he added.

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on ghost and substandard flood control projects and kickbacks received by government officials, Pangilinan said, "Siguro kung 'yung Napoles cases ay nauwi doon sa halip na na abswelo ay kulong ay baka hindi na nangyari itong mas malaking kurakot."

(If the Napoles cases resulted in the conviction of those implicated instead of acquittals, this worse corruption would not have happened.)

"Plunder yung mga kaso n'un e. Nakakulong na nga pero na-abswelto... Maging senyales rin sa hudikatura na kung makita ng taumbayan na mabagal, e baka pati sila ay i-rally," Pangilinan said.

(Those were plunder cases. They were already detained, but they were cleared... May this be a sign to the judiciary that if the people see that justice is slow, they might also be the subject of protests.)

Estrada and former senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., were arrested in 2014 in connection with plunder cases for the alleged misuse of millions of pesos worth of Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel allocations.

All three were acquitted by the Sandiganbayan.

Estrada said he underwent the legal proceedings that led to his acquittal, and to “insinuate otherwise is nothing else than an attempt to rewrite history and to malign the judicial process." 

“I hope the Blue Ribbon Committee will expunge from the record such malicious and unwarranted remarks that serve no purpose but to malign and mislead,” Estrada said.

Pangilinan asked for understanding from Estrada and said he had no intention of malign anyone.

“There was no intention of maligning any senator with that manifestation. For the record, Mr. President, and again, humihingi tayo ng unawa kay Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Wala pong personalan ang ating earlier manifestation,” Pangilinan said.

(There was no intention of maligning any senator with that manifestation, for the record, Mr. President. And again, I apologize to Senator Jinggoy Estrada. There’s nothing personal with the earlier manifestation.)

Estrada and Pangilinan were seen shaking hands and talking during a suspension of the session after their exchange. It was not clear if they ironed out their differences. –NB, GMA Integrated News