Escudero calls for Senate probe on P10-B pork barrel scam

Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero on Monday filed a resolution calling for full blown inquiry into the alleged P 10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

The 16th Congress opens next Monday.

In his Senate Resolution No. 40, Escudero directed the Senate blue ribbon committee to conduct an investigation into the said scam purportedly involving the Janet Lim-Napoles group.

The scam was bared by an investigative report which showed how the PDAF collectively known as pork barrel was released to dummy nongovernment organizations through forgery, falsification and bribery.

"Accountability and transparency in government dictates that this report must be quizzically looked into, not only for the representatives of the people to clarify their respective positions, if some may be involved, but to show to every Filipino as well that neither sacred cows nor the notion of an "old boys club" exists in a government working for change" Escudero explained in his resolution.

The senator, who has always espoused for a transparent and relevant use of PDAF, said the scam is damaging to the country as a whole and besmirching the names of all congressmen and senators in general.

"It has become a painful misconception that the PDAF is a cash allocation given to congressmen and senators with unlimited discretion to disburse and spend with neither constraints nor accountability. But to the contrary, legislators do not handle the funds and implement the projects. Their participation is but limited to the designation of beneficiaries and identification of projects, and the implementation is undertaken by government agencies concerned," Escudero explained.

Escudero said the designation of PDAF beneficiaries and how it purportedly mutated into a multi-billion government racket or scam allegedly by the Janet Lim-Napoles (JLN) Group of Companies must be scrutinized and must see an end where legislative and preventive measures are enacted to address this disturbing matter.

"We deserve no less as a people and as a nation, we have to make sure that everyone adheres to the principles of good governance when it comes to public funds. At the same time, we have a responsibility to protect the integrity and reputation of the Senate as an institution and as a pillar of our democracy. This should be non-negotiable" he said.

"Let the sovereign decide after due hearing and investigation whether to hang Damocles' sword or not"," Escudero added.

Meanwhile, Senator Franklin Drilon clarified there is no need for the Senate to conduct its own probe while the Department of Justice (DOJ) through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating the scam.

"I don't think parallel investigation is necessary at this moment. Perhaps, after the NBI or DOJ probe, we will decide on what to do," Drilon said.

According to news report, at least 28 legislators, including five senators, have made available their PDAF to Napoles' alleged bogus NGOs for purported ghost projects.

Named five senators in the report include Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Gregorio Honasan II. (PNA)