Senate probe on use of Malampaya funds urged

MANILA, Philippines–The family of slain radioman Gerry Ortega on Tuesday literally begged the Senate to investigate the alleged Malampaya funds he had exposed.

Accompanied by running priest Robert Reyes and retired General Danilo Lim, Ortega’s wife, Patria, and their children Michaella and Joaquin, trooped to the Senate to deliver their letters to the senators asking the chamber to investigate the Malampaya funds.

“My family requests, begs if you will, that the Senate conducts an investigation on how the Malampaya funds released to the provincial government of Palawan were utilized. Maawa po kayo sa mga Palawenyo (Have pity on Palawan’s residents),” said Ortega’s daughter in her letter to Senate President Juan PonceEnrile.

The senators were also furnished a copy of the letter.

The young Ortega also wrote a separate letter to the chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Senator Teofisto Guingona III.

The radio man was gunned down while he was in a clothing store in Palawan four months ago.