MikeLigalig.com

Estrada hits peers; silent on charges

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada on Wednesday blasted the Commission on Audit, the media, and fellow lawmakers for turning a blind eye to the alleged misuse of the pork barrel allotments of other lawmakers but failed to clear his name in the raging controversy.

In a privilege speech, Estrada resorted to mudslinging and singled out Mandaluyong Representative Neptali Gonzales III, a staunch ally of the Aquino administration, for allegedly using the pork barrel funds for ghost projects that the Commission on Audit did not expose.


Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“Why is [he] is not being questioned? Dahil ba dahil sya ay nasa Liberal Party (Is it because he belongs to the Liberal Party)?” Estrada said.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=75746.0

Witnesses at the Senate hearing on the pork barrel scam identified Estrada and two other senators who had allegedly funnelled their priority development assistance fund (PDAF) to questionable non-government organizations (NGOs).

Citing a COA report, Estrada said at least four incumbent  and former senators have allegedly used their  pork barrel funds  without complying  with the procurement law.

Estrada said Cayetano, Santiago, Pangilinan and Villar were among the legislators who contributed to the total of P1.2 billion worth of transactions with the local government units (LGUs).

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=75746.0

“In other words, his office is the implementor of his PDAF. That’s why he’s pushing for PDAF to stay,” said Estrada.

The COA report, however, showed that 28 suppliers in Mandaluyong City denied having undertaken the projects which supposedly received the funds worth P28.74 million.

Estrada said the COA report also disclosed that Gonzales allegedly spent P6 million to buy meals from Jollibee, a popular food chain.

“What’s this? P6 million worth of hamburger? Chicken joy and jolly hotdog? Why, this is really delicious,” said the senator.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=75746.0

Senators who convicted Corona got P50-M ‘incentive,’ says Estrada

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013


Former Chief Justice Renato Corona. SENATE POOL

MANILA, Philippines – Senators who voted to convict former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012 were allegedly allotted P50-million “incentive,” Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said on Wednesday.

“After the conviction of the former Chief Justice, those who voted to convict Renato Corona were allotted an additional P50 million as provided in a private and confidential letter memorandum of the then chairman of the Senate finance committee,” Estrada said in a privilege speech.

The head of the finance committee then was Senator Franklin Drilon, now the incumbent Senate president.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=75746.0

“I maintain however, Mr. President that I stand by my decision in my vote to convict the former Chief Justice and assure our people that I was never influenced by this incentive which came after the fact,” he pointed out.

Estrada then urged Abad to disclose all “additional”  “rewards” and “bribes” being given to legislators.

He said Abad’s office’s silence on the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund issue was “puzzling.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=75746.0

Lacson was among the 20 senators who voted to convict Corona in May 2012.

Asked if he was aware of a “confidential” letter about the additional P50 million that Estrada showed to the Senate in his privilege speech on the floor, Lacson said:

“No, but I confirm the P50 million additional.”

Asked if he knew who were the senators who supposedly accepted the additional amount, the former senator said: I don’t know who received and who didn’t. But I remember the announcement in one caucus.”

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=75746.0