Seek truth for the people's sake
Cayetano: Let's start P900-million Malampaya scam probe

"Karapatan ng mga tao na malaman kung bakit imbes na mapunta sa mga magsasaka na apektado ng kalamidad ang pera ng Malampaya ay kinurakot pa ng mga taong walang kunsensiya."

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter "Companero" S. Cayetano is calling on the Senate to commence its probe on the the alleged plunder of P900 million in Malampaya gas funds that were supposed to aid farmers affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009 but ended up in the pockets of the corrupt.

"This is another atrocity that has been committed against the Filipino people who are still in outrage over the P10-billion pork barrel scandal. Dapat nating malaman kung sino ang mga ito at parusahan," Cayetano said.

Following recent developments in the pork barrel anomaly, the Senate leader urged his colleagues to also start its probe on the Malampaya scam to hold individuals accountable for cashing in on the misery of the calamity victims.

"Ang tingin ko ay dapat magkaroon na ng partial report itong PDAF. Then Malampaya na dapat ang susunod," he said, adding that he already asked Blue Ribbon chair Teofisto Guingona III to start scheduling hearings for the Malampaya probe.

"Hiningi ko sa kanya na dinggin at simulan ang hearing sa Malampaya scam para ang bawat isyu na lumabas ay ma-imbestigahan upang makita ng mamamayan kung sino ang mga nangungurakot at kung saan napupunta ang pondo."

Cayetano also asked both Malacanang and Congress to prioritize the enactment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, saying it is the Filipino people's most effective "insurance against graft and corruption in government.

He added that once Congress resumes session in May, he will push for other reforms in the country's criminal justice system such as the Whistleblowers Act, the strengthened Witness Protection Program and the designation of special criminal courts that will conduct daily trials for high-profile cases and heinous crimes.

"Let's investigate, expose then prosecute, but let's also strengthen institutions by putting in needed reforms," he said. In urging the Senate to start looking into the Malampaya funds scam, Cayetano referred to Senate Resolution No. 271 he filed last year directing the Blue Ribbon panel to look into allegations that the funds were funneled to bogus NGOs established by detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

The resolution also directs the committee to determine the alleged involvement of some government officials, particularly in the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), in the controversy.

Cayetano emphasized the need for government to shed light into the issue given its magnitude. He stressed that there is no viler form of corruption than stealing from those who were devastated by calamities.

"Alam naman natin kung gaano ang pinsala sa buhay at sa kabuhayan ang dala ng mga bagyong Pepeng at Ondoy, lalo na sa ating mga magsasaka. Itong P900 million ay dapat nagamit upang sila ay tulungan na makabangon," he explained.

"Wala parin takot ang mga kurakot sa atin bansa. Dapat ma-expose, maimbestigahan at makasuhan ang mga gumawa ng mga scam na ito. Isa-isahin ng Senado, hangang buong katotohanan ay mailabas."