Justiniano confirms filing of 3rd batch of PDAF scam cases

JUSTICE Undersecretary Jose Justiniano confirmed that they have recommended the filing of criminal complaint against Senator Gregorio Honasan II, TESDA Chief Joel Villanueva, Representative Rufus Rodriguez and several others for their alleged involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

“Ang pag-file namin ng complaint ang hinihingi namin is either the Ombudsman conduct further investigation or a formal preliminary investigation,” he added.

Villanueva is an administration ally and will reportedly run for senator under the administration’s Liberal Party.

On the other hand, Rodriguez heads the House ad hoc committee that steered approval through his panel of the controversial draft Bangsamoro Basic Law that calls for the creation of a substate under a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

But Justiniano said it is up to the Justice Secretary Leila de Lima if she would approve their recommendation or amend it before it is filed with the Ombudsman.

“Ang trabaho namin ay tapos na. Isa-submit namin kay Secretary if it is up to her kung ano’ng magiging decision nya,” Justiniano said.

Justiniano said some of those implicated claimed that their signatures were forged.

“Even the Ombudsman said in the case of Senator [Bong] Revilla that such defense is irrelevant because they are not investigating a falsification case,” Justiniano said. AC