Loi Estrada is ‘Inay’ in pork scam—Luy

Before “Sexy,” Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (left) was given the code name “Anak” and his mother, former Sen. Loi Estrada (right), was “Inay,” according to sworn statements issued to the National Bureau of Investigation. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines–Who are “Inay” and “Kris Yen” in the pork barrel scam?

Principal whistleblower Benhur Luy told the Sandiganbayan on Monday that the mother of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former Senator Loi Estrada, was also a client of accused pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

During Senator Jinggoy’s bail hearing, Luy testified that Jinggoy’s code name was “Anak” to distinguish him from his mother.

“Kliyente po ni madame si Ma’am Loi,” Luy told the antigraft court.

Senator Loi, the wife of former President Joseph Estrada, was codenamed “Inay” in the scam, Luy said. Estrada’s codenames are “Anak,” “Seksi,” and “Cong. Biazon.”

Meanwhile, Luy also divulged that Estrada’s deputy chief of staff Pauline Labayen, who fled her plunder charges, was codenamed “Kris Yen.”

Luy said Napoles gave the nickname because Labayen’s favorite actress is Kris Aquino, the actress-TV host and sister of President Benigno Aquino III.

After the hearing, Senator Jinggoy slammed Luy for dragging his mother in the scam, saying the whistleblower was merely basing his allegations on endorsement letters signed by Senator Loi.

“It’s not automatic na tumatanggap kami ng kickbacks. Panay hearsay lang yan,” Jinggoy said.

Reached for comment after the hearing, Senator Loi denied knowing Luy and Napoles when she was Senator.

Jinggoy Estrada is facing plunder and graft charges for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam, the purported diversion of the senators’ Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) to ghost projects for kickbacks.

Estrada is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center with fellow co-accused Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. while Senator Juan Ponce Enrile is in hospital detention.

Napoles is locked up at the Camp Bagong Diwa female ward also for plunder.

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