No holds barred for Tuason when she faces Senate

By: Maila Ager - 11 years ago

Ruby Tuason. Photo by INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It’s a no holds barred for state witness Ruby Tuason when she faced the Senate for the first time on Thursday to shed light on the P10 billion “pork barrel” funds scam, Senator Teofisto Guingona III said on Tuesday.

Guingona is the chairman of the blue ribbon committee, which invited Tuason to testify in its inquiry into the “pork” scam.

Tuason’s testimony, he said, would be relevant to the investigation as she could narrate how and where the scam was done.

Asked if the state witness would be restricted from naming other personalities aside from those who had already been reported in the media, Guingona said: “No, that’s not true. (It’s) a no holds barred.”

He said the committee might also take the opportunity to ask Tuason about her involvement in the alleged anomalous use of the Malampaya funds.

“Ms Tuason is also there so we will also ask her about the Malampaya,” said the senator.

Aside from Tuason, Guingona said, the committee also invited principal whistleblower Benhur Luy, and two other witnesses–Marina Sula and Merlina Suñas—to appear before the committee so they could compare their testimonies.

Asked again if the committee would also ask detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles to also appear before the committee now that Tuason had surfaced, Guingona said: “We’ll see , we will evaluate. But if her stand is the same as before – I don’t remember, I don’t know, I deny — then it might be an exercise in futility.”

Tuason was Napoles’ alleged link to Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who were also charged with plunder at the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged “pork barrel” scam.