Santiago reserves right to question Tuason in Senate pork scam probe

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines– Though still suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, Senator Miriam  Defensor-Santiago has reserved her right to question Ruby Tuason, a co-accused in a plunder case over the “pork barrel” scam, when she testifies at the Senate next week.

Tuason was invited to attend the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee on February 13, 2014.

“As a member of the blue ribbon committee, I respectfully recommend a public hearing to receive the testimony of Ms. Ruby Tuason, who is reported today to have been admitted to the Witness Protection Program,” Santiago said in her letter on Friday to committee chairman, Senator Teofisto Guingona III.

“She  should testify on charges of alleged plunder now pending with the Ombudsman, against herself, as well as certain senators. Should you approve this proposal, I would also like to reserve my interpellation for Ms. Tuason,” she said.

Santiago requested that she be given a definite time slot to interpellate Tuason, explaining that she could only function up to a maximum of two hours.

“I would appreciate it if you could instruct the committee secretary to give me a definite time slot, maybe at about 11:00 a.m., for my interpellation.  I continue to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, and I have to limit my excursion outside of my home,” she pointed out.

Santiago, a former Regional Trial Court Judge, previously questioned detained Janet Lim-Napoles when she faced the Senate probe late last year.

Napoles was allegedly the mastermind of the P10 billion “pork barrel” scam involving some senators, congressmen and other government officials.

Tuason returned from the United States Friday, after leaving in August last year at the height of the pork barrel controversy.