Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said he is not bothered by the list of Janet Lim-Napoles implicating him in the pork barrel scam.
What he is focused on is a “different list,”Alcala said, “the one which tallies rice harvests, irrigation services built, and support given to farmers.”
Alcala made the statement on Friday in defending his name from the pork barrel scam. Alcala is one of the Cabinet members implicated in Napoles’ list of alleged scam beneficiaries that was submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee.
In his statement on the Department of Agriculture’s Facebook account, Alcala said his being included in the list was meant “to derail the performance of our duties and responsibilities for the benefit of farmers and fishers.”
He maintained that he has never transacted with Napoles as agriculture secretary and as a former Quezon Representative from 2004 to 2010 .
“I am sure about myself that I never dealt with her, even during my incumbency as a congressman,” Alcala said.
“My accusers must prove their claim because it all adds up to the false allegations against your humble servant,” he added.
Alcala said the allegations are “false” especially as it is based on “scribbled notes” of a list that has no “specifics.”
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