Palace calls opposition’s ‘pork’ scam assertion illogical

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Monday dismissed accusations that it was the administration that released different versions of Janet Lim-Napoles’ pork scam list in a bid to confuse the public.

“That seems to be an illogical statement. It doesn’t make sense,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, referring to the claims of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) secretary general Toby Tiangco.

Tiangco, who is also the congressman of Navotas, earlier told media that Malacañang was employing an old tactic to cast doubt on the lists while clearing its allies of involvement in the misuse of public funds.

But Lacierda said it was illogical for the congressman to make that assumption since allies of President Benigno Aquino III, including Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, have also been included on the lists.

He said that the government still needs to verify the list given by Napoles, as well as her expanded affidavit which has yet to be submitted to the Department of Justice.

“We are going to evaluate whatever signed and sworn affidavit Mrs. Napoles submits to the DOJ. That’s the only thing that we are going to consider,” Lacierda said during the televised press briefing.

He added that they stand by the President’s instruction of letting the evidence lead the direction of the investigation.

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