Panel to continue ‘pork’ probe–Guingona

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III: We will continue. NOY MORCOSO III/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate blue ribbon committee will continue its investigation into how billions of pesos in lawmakers’ pork barrel were funneled to questionable nongovernment organizations (NGOs).

In a series of tweets posted by his staff over the weekend, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, blue ribbon panel chair, said the committee will look into the dubious NGOs that don’t belong to the network of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

“Other NGOs will also be investigated. The only difference is that no witness has come forward regarding them. But they will be investigated,” Guingona said.

He said there were also no witnesses in the Malampaya Fund scam “but there are documents and a [Commission on Audit] report. The investigation may already be started.”

Guingona expressed doubt Napoles would be allowed to turn state witness against the lawmakers who allegedly allowed their Priority Development Assistance Fund to be channeled to her fake NGOs in exchange for kickbacks.

“It’s difficult to say that she’s not the most guilty,” Guingona said.

Guingona also addressed questions on the propriety of his release of the blue ribbon committee report on the pork barrel scam when it had yet to be signed by the other panel members.

Shortly before the Ombudsman announced that it had found probable cause to charge Napoles and Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. with plunder in connection with the scam, Guingona released the blue ribbon report finding merit in the evidence presented to similarly charge the four.

Guingona said it was not against the rules to immediately release the committee findings, indicating that he only wanted the report disclosed to the public as soon as it was available.—Norman Bordadora