Poe, Cayetano to colleagues: Shun formalities, let’s hear Napoles’ tell-all ASAP

Senator Grace Poe (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO) and Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines – There is no need for the Senate blue ribbon committee to verify the affidavit of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles just to be able to conduct a “credible and effective” hearing, neophyte Senator Grace Poe said on Thursday.

Poe was reacting to the committee’s decision to wait first for Napoles’ affidavit and then evaluate it before deciding whether it should recall her to the witness stand.

“Personally, I think that with the willingness of Napoles to tell all apparently, an independent Senate hearing will allow all to weigh in on the issue. As I’ve mentioned, aside from legislation, a Senate hearing makes it possible for all to hear the details of a case otherwise denied them in a regular court hearing,” Poe said.

“The blue ribbon comm does not need to verify the affidavit to conduct a credible and effective hearing. The success of a hearing will depend largely on the truthful testimonies of those involved,” she added.

Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano did not also support the decision of the committee.

While he described the committee’s move as “appropriate” to make sure that everything is in order, Cayetano noted that the “pork” scam issue was not an ordinary case and should then be given utmost priority.

“This isn’t a case wherein a few more days or week will not matter.  This is a case that every second (that you don’t release the names and information), everyone becomes a suspect,” he said during a weekly forum in the Senate.

“So that’s why I said I humbly disagree and if I get to talk to Senator (Teofisto) Guingona, that’s what   I will try to advocate then.  This is a case wherein it’s beyond us. Kailangang iharap sya sa tao (Napoles has to be  presented to the people),” Cayetano said.

Guingona is the chairman of the committee.

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