State witness Ruby Tuason takes her oath Thursday (Feb. 13, 2014) before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the pork barrel anomaly as Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (right) and whistle-blower Benhur Luy (left) look on. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday bared that pork barrel scam suspect turned whistleblower Ruby Tuason was one of those who profited greatly in the alleged anomalies regarding the use of royalties from the Malampaya gas project in Palawan.
“Si Ruby Tuason, as far as I know, in my opinion, siya yung nagkamal ng malaking pera sa Malampaya fund scam,” Estrada told reporters after attending his bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan.
Tuason, who once admitted bringing bagfuls of money to Estrada’s office, was one of those who implicated the senator in the pork barrel fund scam.
Estrada faces graft and plunder charges for allegedly conspiring with businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in diverting millions in public funds to her bogus non-government organizations.
On Monday, Estrada said Tuason has a mansion worth more than P200 million in the posh Dasmariñas Village in Makati City.
“My office received reports [of the mansion], and because I know Ruby Tuason personally, kinukwento niya sa akin sa Malampaya galing yung bahay,” Estrada said, adding he has been to the alleged mansion.
“Yung mansion na pinatayo ni Mrs. Tuason, and alam ko it’s around P200 plus million. And I’ve been there, malaki talaga yung bahay, kumpleto, may swimming pool, malaki yung bahay,” he said
The detained senator said that the Senate blue ribbon committee, which is investigating the alleged Malampaya fund scam, should invite both Napoles and Tuason to testify during its hearing.
“Time and again I have repeatedly requested to the chairman of the committee to invite Napoles to shed light on her participation in the Malampaya fund scam, and Ruby Tuason,” he said.
On Sunday, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, the committee chair, said Napoles would be asked to testify but did not say the same about Tuason. (MNS)