Senators ask Lacson to name staffer in ‘parked pork’ scheme

Sen. Panfilo Lacson. (File photo by JAM STA. ROSA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Saturday urged Sen. Panfilo Lacson to disclose the name of a senator’s staff member allegedly offering “parked pork” to influence the choice of contractors in projects.

Last Friday, Lacson bared a new pork scheme being implemented in the legislative district of a “well-connected” member of the House of Representatives.

“Big amounts of pork are parked in a legislative district of a well-connected congressman,” Lacson said. “Then he/she offers to share portions of that parked pork to other congressmen with very little or no pork allocations with the understanding that the choice of contractor remains with the former.”

READ: Senator’s staffer offered ‘parked pork’ to solon – Lacson

Sen. Franklin Drilon asked Lacson to bare the name of the senator’s staffer, noting that such a malicious practice must be exposed.

“Sana po sasabihin ni Senator Lacson kung sino po dito sa Senado, dahil kumakalat ito, lumalawak ang kabalastugan. Mabuti kung sabihin na ni Senator Lacson kung sino itong Senate staffer,” Drilon said in an interview with AM radio station DWIZ.

[I hope Senator Lacson who in the Senate is involved, because it’s spreading, this unscrupulousness is widening its influence. It would be better if Senator Lacson will name the Senate staffer.]

Senate President Vicente Sotto III echoed Drilon’s statement, saying Lacson could also talk to the senator whose staff was involved in the scheme.

“Mas maganda siguro kung sabihin ni Senator Lacson kung sino. Mas maganda siguro sabihan ni Lacson yung senador,” he said in another interview, also with DWIZ.

[It would better if Senator Lacson will say who it is. It would be better if Lacson will also inform the senator.]

Asked for comment on the issue, Sotto said it could be denied that some government officials engage in malicious practices.

“Hindi nakapagtataka yung nag-iisip ng paraan kung sino-sino. Alam mo naman sa gobyerno. Merong mga malilikot ang isip. Meron din namang matitino,” he said.

[It’s not surprising that some people will think of such a thing. You know how it is in government. There are those with restless minds. But there are also those who are honest.] /atm