Estrada cites inaccuracies in Tuason testimony

REPLAY? Senator Estrada was once charged and jailed for plunder. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said he noticed certain inaccuracies in the testimony of the latest pork barrel scam whistleblower Ruby Tuason.

For one, Tuason said she supposedly delivered kickbacks from Estrada’s discretionary funds on September 2004.

Estrada said he was just elected July 2004.

“I was just a new senator then. How can I have a special release order when I still don’t have project listing,” said Estrada in Filipino.

Estrada added that he was then an opposition senator under the Arroyo administration, noting that it is unlikely he would get a Saro in a short time.

He made the statement after Tuason, the former social secretary of the Estrada patriarch, testified before the Senateblue ribbon committee and pinned down the senator on the pork barrel scam.

Tuason said she personally delivered kickbacks to Estrada’s residence and his office in the Senate.

Estrada denied the allegations, saying that Tuason was fed information by the main whistleblower Benhur Luy.

RELATED STORIES

Tuason: I personally delivered money to Jinggoy Estrada

Tuason admits seeking help from a senator when she was in US

Before he was ‘Sexy,’ Jinggoy Estrada was ‘Anak,’ Sen. Loi was ‘Inay’