PRESS STATEMENT OF SEN JINGGOY ESTRADA

I was not expecting to receive a fair treatment from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, as we have seen how the membership and its chairman handled the series of proceedings on the issue. The Chair has already issued his prejudgment even prior to this date when he is releasing the committee report. Some of the members as well have shown their patent bias and partiality against their own beleaguered colleagues, in pursuit of personal ambitions and political agenda.

I am saddened, albeit not surprised, that the committee has issued adverse recommendations against me and two of my colleagues who were dragged into the controversy. It has long been established that the body is preoccupied with convicting us before the bar of public opinion.

Why concentrate on just the three of us? What happened to the other legislators mentioned by Benhur Luy in his testimonies? Didn't the chair also consider the findings of the Commission on Audit which found irregularities on the release of PDAF of hundreds of lawmakers, including the allies of the administration? Why did the committee just concentrate on the non-government organizations connected to Janet Napoles when resolutions were filed directing the body to also look into the other NGOs which received even bigger funds from the PDAF? Didn't the chair also find merit in the prosecution and filing of charges against Ruby Tuason and Dennis Cunanan who were also said to have benefitted from the so-called pork barrel scam?

Clearly, kami ang pinagplanuhan, pinagkaisahan at naging biktima ng sabwatan dito para lamang magpapogi at mapaganda ang imahe ng ilan naming kasamahan sa Senado.

It seems fitting that the body and the Ombudsman have chosen this date, April Fools' Day, to release their respective recommendation/resolution on the issue. This is definitely a well orchestrated April Fools' Day operation.

Nevertheless, I wish to reiterate that I am ready to defend myself in court. I believe that the court is the proper forum to prove my innocence and to defend myself. It is after all the one that will render decision and hopefully dispense justice on the case.

Lastly, I reiterate, as I have stated in my counter-affidavit that I have no knowledge or participation in the transfer of funds of my Priority Development Assistance Fund to anyone other than to the legally intended beneficiaries thereof. I never received or pocketed any amounts from Mrs. Napoles, Mrs. Tuason, or any person associated with her or the non-government organizations.