President Benigno Aquino wants all cases that will be filed in relation to the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam to go beyond press releases and stand up in court, Malacañang said Sunday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino gave strict orders that the cases to be filed must be backed by solid evidence. “(M)ariin ang utos ng Pangulong Aquino sa investigation na kailangan matibay ang ebidensya. Ayaw ng pangulo ang nagsasampa ng kaso para sa press release lang,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. She also reiterated the investigation will not spare even administration allies, so long as the evidence [is strong]. In the meantime, she asked the public not to have preconceived notions or assumptions of the outcome of the investigation. “Ang importante, pupunta tayo kung saan tayo dinadala ng ebidensya, hindi pwede ang preconceived notion o assumption,” she said. She said the Palace is still leaving the matter to the Department of Justice, which she said considers this case a priority. Meanwhile, Valte said the hunt is still on for Reynald Lim, the brother of suspected pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. She also said the reward for information leading to his capture is still holds. — LBG, GMA News
