Weigh evidence, not Luy’s files, says Palace exec

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang echoed Saturday Senator Aquilino Pimentel III’s statement that the government should compile documents to build a solid case on the pork barrel scam instead of being preoccupied with Benhur Luy’s electronic files.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Benigno Aquino III has always abided by the principle that the investigation and prosecution of cases in connection with the scam should be based on evidence.

“From the start, the President has laid down a very important principle: Let the evidence point the direction of the inquiry,” he said over state-run dzRB radio.

“And the government will do what is appropriate so justice can be served over the misuse of state funds, in connection with the PDAF scam, or even the so-called Malampaya scam, without fear or favor,” he added.

Coloma stressed that any information offered in public should be scrutinized to determine if it has any probative value, or if it could stand judicial scrutiny.

“Is this supported by concrete evidence? Can this stand or pass standards of judicial scrutiny? Otherwise the disclosure of false stories won’t help. What can help is concrete evidence that can stand in court, because that way, justice can be served,” he said.

Pimentel had said that the Department of Justice should follow the paper trail of the scam by compiling special allotment release orders, notices of cash allocation and checks, rather than being preoccupied with Luy’s files.

Pimentel said that Luy’s files, which list down alleged transactions between Janet Lim Napoles and lawmakers, were “useless nonsense,’’ and had no value as evidence in court.

He balked at his colleagues’ proposal for Luy to testify on his files before the Senate, saying it should be Napoles and her family who should shed light on her expanded affidavit implicating 20 senators in the scam.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee released copies of Luy’s files in CDs to the media last Thursday after getting a copy from the National Bureau of Investigation.

Coloma also said the government shared the desire of groups organizing an indignation rally on June 12 to root out corruption. He rejected, however, their call for officials implicated in the scam to resign.

“On the issue of fighting anomalies and irregularities, and alleged misuse of state funds, the government is one with them, according to the principle of good governance,” he said.

This was why, he added, the government has been pushing for “greater openness, transparency and accountability of public officials.”

However, Coloma said he did not share their call for the resignation of lawmakers and Cabinet officials linked to the scam by either Napoles or Luy.

Speaking of allegations against Cabinet officials, Coloma said that any charge should be based on concrete evidence, the officials should be presumed innocent, and any allegation of a past act “should not affect the presumption of regularity in the performance of current duties.”

“Just the same, we respect the right of our people to air their sentiments, and we are hopeful that they will conduct the rally peacefully in accordance with law,” he said.

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