MALACAÑANG appealed to Filipinos to remain vigilant and alert as the investigation into the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of lawmakers gets underway.
In a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said it was the obligation of all Filipinos to see the probe into what is also known as the pork barrel scam to its ultimate end.
“Huwag nating kalimutan. Obligasyon ito ng ating taong bayan because we have an engaged citizenry, let us not forget that these things (pork barrel scam) have to be resolved,” Lacierda said.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales earlier said it would take her and her agency approximately a year to wrap up the review of the alleged anomalous disbursements of the PDAF after voluminous evidences were presented to her.
Morales vowed to decide in “a year or less” the plunder case against Janet Lim-Napoles and powerful senators and congressmen implicated in the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. (PCOO)
Malacañang assures no compromise deal will be
given those implicated in alleged misuse of PDAF
MALACAÑANG assured on Wednesday that no compromise deal would be given those implicated in the ongoing investigation of the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF), a discretionary fund available to the members of Congress.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda sought to allay fears that lawmakers, especially those aligned with the Administration, who will be found to have anything to do with the P10-billion pork barrel scam would not be prosecuted in exchange for information.
Lacierda told a press briefing in Malacanang that once charges are filed meant that the case would be within the jurisdiction of the courts.
“I can guarantee you that there is no compromise because, once the charges are filed, it’s no longer with us. It is already with the Ombudsman, and the Ombudsman will have full discretion, as to what charges will be filed against any particular individual—both as a legislator and both as an official of all those NGOs (non-government organization),” Lacierda said.
Charges of plunder have already been filed at the Office of the Ombudsman against alleged pork barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles and powerful senators and congressmen implicated in the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. (PCOO)
