Cayetano backs live coverage of pork scam hearings
Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Alan Cayetano wants live coverage of the pork barrel scam hearings in the Sandiganbayan to quell rumors and speculations.
“Akin naman pong tinutulak na sana bigyan ng pansin ng Supreme Court na payagan o utusan ang Sandiganbayan na maging live ang coverage ng hearing (I am hoping the Supreme Court allows or orders the Sandiganbayan to have live coverage of the hearings),” Cayetano said in a radio interview Tuesday.
“Ako’y naniniwala na ’pag nagsimula na yung trial at hindi ito live coverage ay kanya-kanya nang Press Release yan, kanya-kanyang anggulo pagdating ng hearing (I believe that once the trial starts and it is not covered live, each will have their own Press Release or angles regarding hearing),” he said.
The live coverage will give the chance for the public to hear the
defense of the accused and to see the evidence of the prosecution
regarding the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles.
Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada have been
apprehended by authorities following the Sandiganbayan’s finding of probable cause in their case of plunder.
No warrant of arrest has been issued yet for Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.
Revilla and Estrada have both claimed they are victims of political persecution by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
“Paano tatanggapin ng tao yung desisyon kung hindi nila napanood kung paano nilitis ang kaso? (How will the public accept the eventual verdict if they weren’t able to watch the trial?)” Cayetano said.
“Kung live yung coverage, may reporter kayo dun, makikinig lang naman yun at babantayan yung hearing pagkatapos pwede mag-interview, tingin ko mas magiging mabuti sa criminal justice system natin lalo na sa korte (If there is live coverage, the reporter there can listen during the hearings and conduct interviews after. I think it will be better for our criminal justice system especially for the court),” he said.
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