Jinggoy Estrada wants accusers probed

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

Detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada dared the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the activities of the employees of alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, some of whom are acting as whistle-blowers in the plunder case against him and others charged in the P10-billion pork barrel scam involving funds from the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

“If the DOJ and Ombudsman are serious in holding responsible all of those involved and who benefited from the PDAF, they should investigate the transactions of Napoles’ employees—not just Napoles, not just certain lawmakers, but even those who had their own racket,” Estrada said in a statement.

He also defended his decision to disclose the bank accounts of whistle-blower Benhur Luy, a cousin and former employee of Napoles, which reportedly contained P150 million.

“Is it right that the people who are really behind the scam, the people who benefited and enriched themselves so much from illegally using public funds, would be allowed to go free to enjoy the fruits of their stolen wealth?” Estrada asked.

Estrada also said his reason for disclosing Luy’s bank deposits was to present a more complete picture of the truth.

“Isn’t that what we all want—to know the whole truth? Who really benefited from this pork scam? Who amassed wealth using the people’s money?” he said.

Estrada said he was not asking that Luy be removed from the witness protection program or hold him accountable, as this was already being done.

“We want to remind people that Luy, as well as his parents, are facing a forfeiture case in the Manila RTC (Regional Trial Court) filed by the government, particularly the [Anti-Money Laundering Council], in order to recover those they amassed from the PDAF scam,” he said.–Leila B. Salaverria