Palace: Let Napoles speak to find out ‘whole truth’ behind PDAF scam

Malacañang wants the Ombudsman to investigate all those involved in the Priority Development Fund (PDAF) scam regardless of their political affiliation.

“We want the truth and nothing but the whole truth to come out in this PDAF scam,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

This development came after alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, in an interview with broadcast journalist Erwin Tulfo over state-run PTV-4, revealed that she gave P5 million to Sen. Franklin Drilon as campaign donation during the 2010 elections.

Napoles, who is accused of funneling pork barrel funds to ghost projects, is currently detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City for plunder charges.

Drilon has denied he received campaign funds from Napoles, saying the allegations were “fake news intended to harass the opposition.”

READ: Drilon denies getting P5-M donation from Napoles for 2010 elections

But Roque said Napoles’ accusations against Drilon must be investigated.

READ: Palace: Napoles claim vs Drilon over P5-M donation must be probed

“It is something that it should be investigated. This is information, which for the first time was revealed by Janet Lim-Napoles,” he said.

“And I think the Constitution in providing for accountability of public officers is the legal basis for the relevant government agencies to conduct an investigation,” he added.

Roque welcomed Napoles’ latest revelation.

“I would hope the Ombudsman on its own would conduct its probe and I think the DOJ also on its own should also conduct its own probe,” he said.

“Obviously, Janet Lim-Napoles is the central figure in this scam. Let her speak and I am sure that in addition to what she has to say she would have physical evidence to back up whatever it is that she alleges,” he added. /je