Lacson on sanitized ‘pork’ list: ‘First rate intrigue based on third rate gossip’

Former senator and now rehabilitation czar Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson denied a report that said he sanitized a list of pork barrel scam beneficiaries given to him by Janet Lim-Napoles’ husband.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, the former senator said the report was “first rate intrigue based on a third rate gossip.”

The newspaper report said Lacson received the list from Napoles’ husband Jimmy, and that Lacson removed from the list administration allies implicated in the scam.

These officials are Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Senate President Franklin Drilon.

The report also said three to four administration allies were removed from the list, and that these were replaced with former and current senators.

“How does one sanitize a list that he has not seen?” Lacson said.

He added that he could not possibly sanitize the list especially as he was the one who announced that 12 former and incumbent senators were on the list.

“Something’s not adding up in their story. It defies simple logic,” Lacson said.

RELATED STORIES

Lacson: More senators linked to Napoles

Lacson clarifies 16 senators on Napoles list