Lacson’s office submits evidence to indict Santiago of graft

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and senator Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—The office of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has submitted pieces of evidence at the Office of the Ombudsman against Senator Miriam Defensor- Santiago for  possible violation of Republic Act 3019 known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The evidence, Lacson said, was referred to the Ombudsman about two weeks ago.

“Pieces of evidence for violation of RA 3019 by Senator Santiago were officially referred by my office to the Office of the Ombudsman some two weeks ago,” Lacson said in a text message on Wednesday.

“The Ombudsman may investigate graft cases moto propio. A simple referral should be sufficient for them act,” he said.

Lacson had earlier identified Santiago as the senator, who has been allegedly using the Senate fund to pay for the rent of her office in a building that she herself owned.

Santiago, in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM early Wednesday, admitted  that the Senate  paid for the P70,000 monthly rent of her office but said it was upon the approval of  the  Senate Secretariat.

Reacting to this, Lacson said, “Since she is now pointing the responsibility of her acts to the Senate Secretariat.  My unsolicited advice to her is to engage the legal services of the Senate Secretariat to defend her case with the Ombudsman.”

“She further averred that she got the lease of a space in her own building for a bargain price. My  reaction? It’s the act, stupid,”  Lacson added.

Lacson’s disclosure about the evidence against Santiago came just hours after the latter threatened to expose  his “sins” and “sexuality” on the same interview.

“Maghanda ka. Dahil mayroon akong parliamentary immunity. Ibubulgar ko lahat ng kasalanan mo. Pati ang sexuality mo (Be ready. I have parliamentary immunity. I’ll expose all your sins. And it will include your sexuality),” Santiago said.

“Tapos ikaw hindi ka na senador wala ka ng parliamentary immunity. Pag sumagot ka sa akin, idedemanda kita ng libel…(And you will have no more parliamentary immunity. If you answer back at me I’ll sue you for libel),” she added.

Lacson’s term in the Senate will end in June, 2013.