Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles contributed funds to the campaign kitty of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) for the 2013 midterm polls, jueteng whistleblower Sandra Cam revealed Tuesday.
Cam, who claims to have common friends with Napoles, said the controversial businesswoman gave some P100 million to support the LP senatorial campaign during the last elections.
“Talaga namang nagbigay itong si Napoles ng campaign funds noong eleksyon lang nitong senatoriables,” the whistleblower said in an interview with GMA News’ Arnold Clavio on “Unang Hirit.”
During a Senate investigation in 2005, Cam testified that she collected payoffs from jueteng lords and delivered them to relatives of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Cam is currently president of the Whistleblowers’ Association of the Philippines.
But Former Rep. Raul Daza, who serves as LP’s counsel, categorically denied Cam’s claim that the ruling party, which is currently being chaired by President Benigno Aquino III, received funds from Napoles.
“Tinatatanggihan po namin na tumanggap ng anumang pera galing kay Gng. Napoles ang LP noong nakaraang kampanya. Andiyan po sa Comelec ang listahan ng contributors ng LP. Wala po riyan ang pangalan ni Gng. Napoles,” Daza said in the same television interview.
Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada are also facing separate plunder raps for allegedly pocketing funds from Napoles’s scam.
‘Drilon knows Napoles well’
In the same interview, Cam likewise belied statements earlier made by Senate President Franklin Drilon that he only occasionally met Napoles in social gatherings.
“Maraming kaming common friends at kaibigan na nagsasabing hindi lang kilala, kundi kilalang-kilala, nitong mag-asawang Drilon si Napoles,” Cam said.
“Sinasabi rin ng witnesses ngayon na regular guests ang mag-asawang Drilon sa parties at death anniversary ng mother niya sa musoleo. Kung ikaw ay hindi kilalang-kilala pupunta ka ba sa isang death anniversary sa sementeryo?” she added.
Asked what proof she has linking Drilon to Napoles, Cam replied, “Hindi na kailangan ng documentary evidence.”
Daza also countered Cam’s claim that Drilon has been refusing to summon Napoles to the Senate probe on the pork barrel scam because the Senate President has “something to hide.”
“Hindi ito sariling pasya niya [Drilon]. Ito ay alinsunod lamang sa isang opinyon na binigay ni Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales,” Daza said.
Drilon refused to sign a subpoena for Napoles requested by Senator Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee investigation the alleged pork barrel scam. The Senate is scheduled to settle the issue in a caucus on Wednesday.
Candaba mayor linked to Napoles
Cam also showed a photo of Drilon with Mayor Rene Maglanque of Candaba in Pampanga, whom Napoles supposedly introduced to the Senate leader.
The whistleblower accused Maglanque of being a jueteng bagman.
Daza, however, said Maglanque was an independent candidate during the last polls and has never been associated with the LP.
