JPE, Jinggoy, Bong urged to attend Senate hearing, face accusers

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday urged his three fellow senators accused of being involved in the pork barrel scam should face their accusers during the hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

"Ang sinabi na... they are innocent until proven guilty, that is true. But that is for the court... Ang presumption na innocent... can be overturned," Cayetano said.

Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. have been charged with plunder in connection with the multi-billion pork fund scam.

The three senators have repeatedly denied the allegations that they received kickbacks from the bogus non-government organizations put up by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the scam.

The senators have also accused the Aquino administration of persecution. There were also allegations that the pork barrel scam was exposed as part of the administration's political plans for 2016.

Cayetano said the three senators' should back their denials with evidence.

"Hindi dapat sabihin ng mga senador na hindi totoo 'yan, na conspiracy 'yan, kailangan, magprisinta ka rin ng ebidensya to show na hindi yan totoo. Hindi lang theory ang pinakita ni Benhur, nagpakita din siya ng ebidensya, ng amount ng mga SARO," Cayetano said.

He added: "They are celebrities, they are public officials and servants. Paano kung ma-abswelto sila ng korte pero madumi na sila sa mata ng tao? Pati ang justice system natin maaapektuhan. That is why kung public official ka o celebrity, hindi pwedeng sa korte ka lang sasagot. Dapat pati sa media sumasagot ka din."

Meanwhile, there are calls for the three accused senators to take a leave of absence due to the allegations against them.

Cayetano said that if he would also be tagged in a scam, he would take a leave of absence.

"It is really their call. Kung ako ang tatanungin mo, better talaga. Kung ako ang nasisi dito, 80% siguro I would want to take a leave of absence, unless ang nakikita nila ay kaya sila ginaganito para mag-leave sila precisely para i-demolish ang pangalan nila," he said.