Jinggoy defends sale of Cubao property to Napoles

MANILA, Philippines - Embattled Sen. Jinggoy Estrada defended on Friday his transaction with the family of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles on the reported sale of his 600-meter property in Cubao, Quezon City.

“There is nothing wrong. It was a legitimate transaction. I needed the money that is why I sold the 600-square (which I) acquired from the Antonios who mortgaged it to the bank. I assumed it (balance),” Estrada said in an interview.

“That’s the problem, when it is about me, they find me guilty by association. When Napoles is linked to the others, they say its 'guilt by photography',” Estrada added.

Estrada recalled selling the property to Napoles in 2011 because he needed money. “It was sold some two years ago. I needed the money at that time… it was just after the election year… She had many money so I sold the property to her,”  the senator said.

Estrada, who lamented being allegedly tried through guilt by association with Napoles, swept under the rug insinuations of anomaly or any irregularity during the transaction.

“If it was the other way around, if she sold a property to me, that would mean I have lots of money,” Estrada explained, adding he acquired the lot when he was still mayor of San Juan.

Unlike other senators, Estrada maintained that he never denied knowing Napoles.

“She is a friend. She is a businesswoman. Actually, the transaction was not between the two of us. It was the son, not the mother, who bought the properity,” he added.

Estrada said the deed of sale was signed by Napoles’ son, not Janet, contrary to reporters.   He added that the buyer assumed the tax for capital gains.

Estrada issued the statement amid the claims of Marina Sula, one of the whistleblowers against Napoles and her cohorts, that Napoles bought the Cubao property located on EDSA corner P. Tuason Street from the senator.