“We can also assure Mayor Estrada that the perception that [they] have is entirely inaccurate. There is no systematic plan [against the administration],” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press conference.
“What we have, however, is a plan to bring to court those who have been found to have misused their PDAF… and that would involve and affect anyone who… have misused their funds whether you are friend or foe,” he added.
Estrada has accused the Aquino administration of going after opposition personalities one by one after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against his son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, in connection with the alleged P10-billion peso pork barrel fund scam. Jinggoy has already surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Last Friday, an arrest warrant was likewise issued against Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. also in connection with the pork barrel scam. He, too, surrendered to the PNP.
Both Estrada and Revilla, as well as Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, are facing graft and plunder charges in connection with the supposed scam.
Enrile is a known stalwart of the United Nationalist Alliance, a party formed by the elder Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Lacierda, however, said they are not just going after critics of the Aquino administration.
“It’s not true that we are only focusing on the people… who appeared to be in opposition against this administration, that is clearly not true,” he said.
He said an administration ally has even been charged in connection with the fraudulent scheme.
“What is the message that we are sending with the fact that we have already filed a case against an ally of the President? Shouldn’t that be as clear, as fundamental that we are color blind with respect to any investigation that involves anyone who are involved in the PDAF scam?” he said.
He did not mention any names, but known Aquino ally and former Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon was among the respondents named in the malversation, direct bribery, and graft and corrupt practices complaints earlier filed by the Department of Justice.
Asked if they will file charges against more allies, Lacierda just reiterated that they will go where the evidence leads them.
“These things have a process of investigation, evaluation and the filing of complaint. We’ve seen the first few. Let us just wait for the process to take its course,” he said.
Budget Secretary Butch Abad and Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala have been tagged by alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in her affidavit, but no formal charges have been filed against them yet.
Media reports also said Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva may be charged for the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds.
President Benigno Aquino III, however, has expressed his support for the three. —KBK, GMA News
