Pangilinan chides ‘PDAF-scam’ politicians vying again for a Senate seat

Liberal Party President Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan chided on Wednesday some former senators implicated in the “pork barrel” scam who are now vying for a Senate seat in the May 2019 national elections.

“That shows the level of disrespect and cynicism in our democracy and electoral system,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“I hope our voters will see through that, and choose our opposition coalition slate who embody respect and hope for all that is good in the Filipino,” the campaign manager of the opposition coalition slate added.

The opposition coalition that Pangilinan was referring to is composed of “Oposisyon Koalisyon” senatorial bets Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Senator Bam Aquino, La Salle Law founding dean and human rights defender Chel Diokno, former Bangsamoro Transition Commission member Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, former Solicitor General Florin “Pilo” Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, former Senator and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, and former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada.

READ: Opposition completes 8-member senatorial slate for 2019 polls

The so-called “PDAF-scam senators” running for Senate are former Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, and Juan Ponce Enrile.

In June 2014, the Office of the Ombudsman indicted them for plunder and multiple counts of graft in connection with the multi-billion peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam.

READ: WHAT WENT BEFORE: Napoles and the pork barrel scam

Revilla and Estrada are still detained at Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, while Enrile is currently on bail while on trial for plunder.

The 94-year-old politician was released on bail in 2015 due to humanitarian reasons, with the Supreme Court citing his poor health and old age. /ee