Aquino: Tuason will help bring closure to pork barrel scam

MANILA, Philippines - Ruby Tuason's testimonies regarding the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam will help bring closure to the controversy, Pres. Benigno Aquino III said Friday.

"Noong sinabing magte-testify siya, meron isa na pwedeng magkumpleto nung proseso, magtatahi, magre-reaffirm ng mga allegations ng ating mga whistleblowers," the Chief Executive said in his interview with the media following his attendance to the Philippine Army Change of Command Ceremony on Friday at the Philippine Army Grandstand, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Tuason, one of those charged in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam, returned to the Philippines on Friday and turned into a state witness.

She has filed a sworn statement and is expected to appear at the next Senate hearing on the scandal scheduled next week.

"So mas mapapatibay ang ebidensiya at sabi ko nga sa — at pangako natin sa sambayanan, kung saan tayo dadalhin ng ebidensiya, doon tayo tutungo. Makakatulong ito sa pagsasara dito sa kabanatang ito na nangyari [na] pang-aapi sa ating sambayanan," Aquino was quoted as saying in an article by the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

The President abolished the PDAF last year after it was exposed that congressional pork barrel funds were rechaneled to fake non-government organizations allegedly set up by detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

Several officials, lawmakers and their staff supposedly received kickbacks from the racket. Tuason was accused of facilitating the funds of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile.