State witness Ruby Tuason reads her opening statement during the Feb. 13, 2014 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged pork barrel scam as Justice Secretary Leila del Lima (right) and whistle-blower Benhur Luy (left) listen. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The camp of Ruby Tuason plans to appeal her application for immunity from lawsuit before the Office of the Ombudsman after she was indicted for plunder charges.
Tuason’s lawer Dennis Manalo said they were not surprised by the Ombudsman’s ruling given Tuason’s admission that she was involved in the pork barrel scam.
He said they have five days to file a motion for reconsideration to resolve her pending application for immunity.
Tuason, who is under the witness protection program on a provisional basis, is currently out of the country.
“We are hoping that in the assessment and evaluation of Tuason’s application for immunity, things will turn around for the better insofar as she’s concerned,” Manalo said.
“It is Mrs. Tuason herself who said a crime was committed and she was involved in the commission of that crime. She admits probable cause but what she is saying is that she is entitled to benefits of immunity as provided for under the law because she voluntarily stepped forward with her statement and cooperated with government in the prosecution of this case,” he added.(MNS)