Pimentel to gov't PDAF probers: Investigate Jimmy Napoles, too

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Friday said government investigators looking into the P10-billion pork-barrel scam linked to Janet Lim Napoles should widen the inquiry to include her husband, Jimmy Napoles.

"Since Jimmy Napoles is the source of the list that former Sen. Ping Lacson submitted to the Senate, he should be called to shed light on his participation in the scam," said Pimentel in a press statement.

"Maybe he has personal knowledge of the PDAF scam, and if he has, then he has personal involvement in it, too," added Pimentel.

He said that Mr. Napoles "as an educated man can no longer argue that giving kickbacks is illegal under the law.

Jimmy Napoles was alleged to have handed to Lacson the list in March, when the couple revealed to the first high-level contact with an official of the Aquino administration that Janet was ready to spill the beans on her operation.

Pimentel said the investigation by the Department of Justice should be thorough, focused and deliberate sparing no one so as not to invite public doubts over its credibility.

So far, Janet's alleged central role has been uncovered in the scam that channeled billions of pesos of Priority Development Assistance Funds, or the congressional pork barrel, into ghost projects and gave fat commissions to more than 80 lawmakers.

Earlier this week, Pimentel filed with the Office of the Ombudsman criminal and administrative complaints against four senior officers of the Department of Agriculture.

Those Pimentel named in the complaints were Antonio A. Fleta, undersecretary for administration and finance; Delia A. Ladera, supervising administrative officer; Charie Sarah D. Saquing, department chief accountant; and Telma C. Tolentino, officer-in-charge of the budget division.

Pimentel accused them of falsification of a document and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practice Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

Pimentel said a syndicate had forged his signature "in an attempt to forcibly associate me with their illegal activities, apparently not being able to take "NO" for an answer."