“Kasi may sinisimulan akong imbestigahan ngayon, ‘yung paggamit niya ng pork barrel under the guise na sports complex ‘yung ipapagawa eh cockpit arena ang kinonstruct. ‘Yun ay sinisimulan ko na mag-gather ng mga dokumento at ebidensya at kung mayroong basehan again ire-refer ko ‘yan sa Ombudsman,” he said.
In a text message to GMA News Online earlier in the day, Lacson was more succinct: “I have just started my investigation. Every time she opens her big mouth, I will gather evidence to expose her misdeeds and corrupt ways.”
Santiago’s office said she will issue a statement within the day.
“Maghanda ka (Lacson) dahil meron akong parliamentary immunity, ibulgar ko lahat ng kasalanan mo pati ang sexuality mo,” she said in a radio interview Wednesday.
On Thursday, Lacson this was “really below the belt.”
“Unang-una hindi totoo [‘yun]. Uso naman ang aminan pero bakit ko aaminin kung talagang hindi totoo kung bakla ako eh baka wala nang macho dito sa mundo,” he said.
He said Santiago should read the law again to realize that parliamentary immunity is not in effect during session breaks.
He also said Santiago should not use this to trample on the rights of others. “That’s a big big character flaw ng isang tao,” he said.
History
The discord between Santiago and Lacson began when the lady senator accused Lacson of being one of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s attack dogs.
Santiago has been criticizing Enrile for giving additional funds to selected senators, particularly those perceived to be his allies.
Lacson, as chair of the Senate committee on accounts, then alleged that Santiago has actually been using Senate funds to pay for her office’s rental fees, her housemaid’s salaries, and her family’s grocery allowance. He had also called her a “hypocrite” and a “crusading crook.”
“Hindi naman pwede [na] we just take it sitting down all the time. Pagka ‘yung institution na ‘yung tinatamaan at ‘yung aming sariling honor [at] dignidad na namin ang tinatamaan eh kailangan siguro mayroong magsasalita para i-defend ‘yung Senado at lalo na ‘yung mga sarili namin,” he said on Thursday.
“Kung ikaw ay nagmamalinis dapat siguradong malinis ka. Kung mayroon kang mga dumi ‘wag ka mag-aatake ng kapwa mo lalo na kung hindi totoo ang mga binabato mo. May kasabihan tayo kapag dumura ka sa loob na elevator ‘yung laway mo sa mukha mo rin tatama,” he added.
Possible cases vs Miriam
Lacson, who is on his last term as senator, said that he has already turned over the documents regarding the rental feels to the Office of the Ombudsman. “Yes, nandun na. Antay na lang si Miriam ng summons and most likely, warrant of arrest,” he said Wednesday.
On Thursday, he said the documents include her office lease, papers from the Securities and Exchange Commission proving that her relatives own the building where she is renting an office, and her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) where she declared ownership of the building.
Santiago has said that the Office of the Senate Secretariat had allowed her to rent her own building for her satellite office.
Lacson, however, said he consulted some lawyers who said the case against the lady senator was solid. “Sinabi nila na napakalakas ng kaso if not an open and shut case.”
On the other hand, he said he is still collating documents regarding allegations that Santiago used Senate funds to pay for her family’s groceries and her maids’ salaries.
“Kinu-kumpleto ko para maisampa rin. Hiwalay na kaso siyempre every single act na tantamount to commiting a violaton of law especially sa Anti-Graft Law talagang ibang kaso yun,” he said.
Lacson also said he may write to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in case the Ombudsman finds probable case to file charges against Santiago, who has been named judge of the ICC.
“Para impormahan lang sila kung ano ang kanilang alintuntuin dun sa mga sitwasyon na ang isang appointed na judge eh papayagang umupo bilang huwes dun sa ICC inspite of having a pending crim case for graft,” he said. — KBK, GMA News
