Erap laughs off efforts linking him to Napoles

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada laughed off yesterday efforts to link him to businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged pork barrel fund scam mastermind, through photographs showing him with Napoles’ daughter.

As a popular movie actor before becoming a politician, Estrada said posing for photos with rich and poor people alike has been a normal part of his life.

“I have posed with thousands of women and men, rich or poor, in pictures while I was still a movie actor. I have been a very popular movie actor before I became mayor of San Juan, senator, vice president and president, respectively. A person like me with a level of popularity like I have cannot afford to be suplado (snobbish) with people requesting to have a picture with me,” Estrada said.

He also said that since he left Malacañang he did not have any contacts with his former appointments secretary Cheryl Jimenea and his former social secretary Ruby Tuason.

Pictures of Estrada and Napoles’ daughter Jeane have circulated online with a caption that says that the photo was taken during the birthday party of Estrada’s daughter-in-law, Precy Ejercito, wife of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

“I cannot remember her (Jeane). I have been a superstar in the movies before I became politician, that is why many people are requesting for a photo with me,” Estrada said.

He said persistent efforts to also link his son Jinggoy to Napoles are tainted with politics.

“Maybe, there is a political undertone. But I am very confident that Jinggoy can defend himself well. That is why I keep my silence. Pictures can’t be a basis to link you,” Estrada said.

He said he does not believe in the allegations implicating his son in the pork barrel fund scam.

Estrada said if a picture with Napoles or any of the members of her family could be a basis to prove their link with her, then all those other politicians like Senate President Franklin Drilon and President Aquino could be declared guilty.

“But that is not the case. Pictures cannot be a complete basis to link you with a person. If those with pictures with Napoles or a member of her family are guilty, then what about those congressmen who were tagged in the scam, but does not have any picture with Napoles? Will they be automatically declared not guilty?” he said.

Estrada said he does not personally know Napoles and there was just one occasion where she was introduced to him casually. 

Not sexy

Sen. Estrada debunked yesterday claims by whistle-blower Benhur Luy that he was privy to the deliberate misuse of his pork barrel fund or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2007 to 2009.

The senator said he does not feel sexy at all after Luy insinuated during the Senate public hearing last Thursday that a senator was codenamed “sexy” by the Napoles group.

He said he underwent bariatic surgery in 2009 and lost 50 lbs. From 240 lbs, Estrada said his weight decreased to 190 lbs but he does not think it made him feel or look sexy.

“It was not healthy anymore, wala na akong leeg (I had no neck). My weight was reduced to 190 lbs but I am still fat. I am not sexy,” he said in Filipino.

Although Estrada admitted that he is acquainted with alleged pork barrel mastermind Napoles, the senator decried the public persecution caused by the exposés by Luy and other whistle-blowers.

He also questioned the selective attacks against him and some of his colleagues in relation to the special audit on PDAF by the Commission on Audit (COA).

Estrada did not hide from media how deeply hurt he was about the latest developments.

“It’s painful… we are being destroyed in the papers, there are even no affidavits,” he said.

In an interview, Estrada expressed belief that there is no basis to indict him and his colleagues, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. for plunder due to alleged PDAF misuse.

Estrada reiterated that the implementing agencies had the responsibility to verify the integrity of the non-government organizations (NGOs) involved in ghost projects.

Estrada said he is preparing for the plunder charges.

He expressed doubt that the case would hold up in court since Luy admitted that he did not witness money change hands between Napoles or any senator.

“He merely said senators got 50 percent share. That’s ridiculous, what’s plunder there? I just endorsed (the project),” he explained.

Estrada remained concerned that Napoles, now under government custody, would be used by some elements to link him to the PDAF scam.

At first, Estrada said he couldn’t imagine seeing himself in jail again, recalling how he and his father were detained also on plunder charges about 13 years ago.

“I’ve been through this… It was very devastating. That was a very painful experience for us. Now 13 years after, this is what is happening,” Estrada said. “Maybe they want to wipe us out.”

Estrada lamented how they have been pilloried in the media when the COA had not even accounted for the rest of some P69 billion in PDAF in the agency’s special audit report.

Estrada admitted that he and his family have been affected by the recent accusations linking him to misuse of his pork barrel funds.