Estrada: Plunder raps an April Fools’ Day operation

MANILA, Philippines –  A “synchronized  April Fools’ Day operation” was how Senator  Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada  described  the decision of  the Office of the Ombudsman and the recommendation of Senate blue ribbon  committee to file plunder charges against  him and two other senators in connection  with the pork barrel scam.

“It’s a very, very well synchronized April  Fools’ Day operation,”  Estrada  said in  a television interview on  Tuesday.

“First, the Senate blue ribbon committee came out with a committee report, recommending the filing of plunder charges against me and two of my colleagues and several others. Second, not to be outdone, the Office of  the Ombudsman, held a press con also recommended the filing of plunder charges against  the three  senators,”  he said.

The two colleagues he was referring to were Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile, and  Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who were  also facing  plunder charges in connection with the P10-billion “pork barrel” scam.

The Ombudsman decided to file the charges against them Tuesday.

Nevertheless,  Estrada reiterated  his readiness to  defend himself   in court, saying  it was the proper forum to prove his innocence and defend himself.

“I’d like to reiterate as I’ve stated in my counter-affidavit that I have no knowledge or participation in the transfer of my PDAF to anyone other than to the legally intended beneficiaries thereof,”  he said.

PDAF is Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) also known as “pork barrel” funds.

“I did  not receive [nor] pocketed amounts from Mrs. Napoles , Mrs.  [Ruby] Tuason or any person associated with her or any NGO (non-government  organization),” he added.

With regard to the  blue ribbon committee’s recommendations, Estrada said he was  no longer expecting to get a fair  treatment from the body, noting how its chairman, Senator Teofisto Guingona III, had allegedly prejudged the issue.

“Some of the members as well have shown and stated bias and partiality against their own beleaguered colleagues in pursuit of their  personal and political agenda,”  said the senator.

“I am saddened, I am not surprised that the committee has issued adverse report  against me and my colleagues, who were dragged into the controversy.  It has long been established  that the body’s preoccupied into convicting us before the bar of public opinion.”

“Clearly, kami po ang pinagplanuhan, pinagkaisahan at naging biktima ng sabwatan dito para lamang magpapogi  ng imahe ang ilan naming mga kasamahan sa Senado,” Estrada said.

(Clearly, we are the victims of the scheming and connivance of our colleagues in the Senate who wish to enhance their image.)

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