Lifestyle check for Aquino irrelevant, useless—Palace

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Irrelevant and useless, that was how Malacañang on Wednesday described Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s challenge for President Benigno Aquino III and his Cabinet members to undergo a lifestyle check.

“Wag na lang siyang mandamay. Ang maganda siguro pandayin niya ng husto yung kaso nya (He shouldn’t be dragging other people. It would be better if he strengthen his case instead),” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a televised press briefing.

Lacierda was referring to Revilla being accused of plunder for the misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund.

Revilla on Tuesday said Aquino and his allies should also undergo a lifestyle check, if he and other accused lawmakers are being asked to do so.

But Lacierda said a lifestyle check was irrelevant to Revilla’s case and the pork barrel controversy.

“Let’s say all of us pass the lifestyle check. Would it improve his credibility? It doesn’t. It’s irrelevant. So what is the point?” he said.

Lacierda urged Revilla to just “stick to the case (and) answer the issues against him.”

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