Forces target De Lima to derail pork scam case, says group

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—An anti-corruption group on Monday said Justice Secretary Leila De Lima who is set to face the powerful Commission on Appointments is the target of forces wanting to muddle the pork barrel scam controversy.

A statement submitted by the Reborn Filipinos for Reform Philippines Movement (RFRPM) to the CA said “powerful forces are putting vast resources to sabotage the prosecution of those involved the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam.”

“It is well known that several attempts to muddle and misdirect the issues by certain personalities involved in the PDAF scam have been made in the past since the expose’ but has not deterred the feisty Secretary from her pursuit of the truth and justice for the aggrieved Filipinos,” the group’s lead convenor  Leon Estrella Peralta said.

RFRPM an affiliate of the Anti-Trapo Movement (ATM) said “[stories] being churned out in the media are primarily designed to alienate and embarrass the person of the Secretary and her family whose marriage is known to be legally annulled, with the primary intent of derailing and misdirecting the issues concerning the Pork Barrel Scam and the persons involved in it.”

The group added that a 12-page affidavit filed before the CA opposing De Lima’s confirmation “raises more questions as to its real motive and intent, considering it has been four years that Secretary De Lima has held the position in the Department of Justice and these allegations have never been put out in public.”

“Such attempts, all known to be dirty tricks employed by hired spin doctors in the political arena to cover the real issue of the still prevailing “Systemic Corruption” in government and using this vehicle as an opportunity to drag and discredit the President to pave the way for an undemocratic regime change whether through legal means or by way of force,” the group added.

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