De Lima’s lips now sealed on ‘pork’ case, defers to Ombudsman

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday her office would now refrain from releasing statements on the case involving the alleged anomalous use of the Priority Development Assistance Funds, or “pork barrel”, by lawmakers.

De Lima made the statement in deference to the Office of the Ombudsman which is set evaluate the case for possible preliminary investigation.

The secretary also said the National Bureau of Investigation was focusing on other cases to be filed.

“NBI/DOJ shall henceforth refrain from making further comments or discussions into the merits of these Napoles/PDAF cases,” De Lima said in a text advisory, pertaining to Janet Lim-Napoles who allegedly masterminded the P10 billion pork barrel scam.

On Monday, plunder cases were filed before the Ombudsman against over 30 persons including Napoles, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, and senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. and two former representatives.

Related Stories:

Napoles, 37 others face plunder, graft raps

Janet Napoles and the pork barrel scam