Expect no further testimonies from controversial businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles or from the whistleblowers linking her to the alleged P10-billion “pork barrel” scam when the Senate probe on the suspected anomaly resumes next week.
In an advisory to the media, the office of Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III said the investigation next Thursday “will focus on policy issues.”
Among the issues expected to be tackled are the registration, accreditation and monitoring of non-government organizations (NGOs) that deal with government contracts, Guingona’s office said.
Napoles, lawmakers and other government officials allegedly pocketed millions in pork barrel funds by funneling them to bogus NGOs.
Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada and Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile are currently facing plunder raps before the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged involvement in the scam.
Audit chief Grace Pulido Tan, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair Teresita Herbosa and Philippine Council for NGO Accreditation chair Augusto Carpio have been invited to the probe, Guingona’s office said.
In last November’s hearing on the alleged scam, Napoles, who is currently detained in Laguna for a separate illegal detention case, came face to face with her accusers.
