Puno: They have no proof

Rico Puno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Former Interior undersecretary Rico Puno said Friday that his detractors have no proof on allegations that were being hurled against him.

At the start of the Senate investigation Friday, Puno said his accusers were relying on “lies”.

He said that no case has been filed and no evidence has come out against him.

Puno was referring to allegations on his alleged involvement in the illegal numbers game called “jueteng” and his role in the reported “raid” on the condominium unit of the Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo who died in a plane crash off Masbate in August. He resigned from his post this September.

Puno said the accusations against him over the Robredo “raid” were “unfounded”.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairperson of the committee on constitutional amendments and revisions of codes and laws, is spearheading the investigation amid claims that her committee has no jurisdiction over the matter.

Santiago started the hearing by disclosing an anonymous letter detailing his alleged connections in other government agencies.

Before this, Santiago took time to criticize Cabinet officials who failed to attend.

She also slammed critics who said she could not hold the hearing because there was no resolution, calling them illiterate and the “lowest creatures on the food chain”.

Before hearing started, Senator Alan Cayetano arrived.

Puno arrived earlier.

Also present are Philippine National Police chief Ricardo Bartolome and Archbishop Oscar Cruz.