Palace on Bong's lifestyle check dare: Just focus on your case

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday urged beleaguered Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. to just answer the accusations hurled against him instead of challenging the President and other officials to undergo a lifestyle check.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Revilla should just stick to his case over the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam and not drag others into the controversy.

"Sagutin na lang niya yung issue. Huwag na lang siyang mandamay. Ang maganda siguro, pandayin niya nang husto 'yung kaso niya," Lacierda said at a televised press briefing.

Revilla, one of the lawmakers accused of pocketing kickbacks from pork barrel funds channeled to fake foundations, has been urged by potential state witness Dennis Cunanan to go through a lifestyle check.

In response, Revilla also called for a scrutiny of the wealth of President Aquino and other officials.

But Lacierda sees no point in challenging other officials not involved in the alleged pork barrel scam since it will not affect the credibility of Revilla.

"Ano ang relevance ng pag-challenge sa amin?" Lacierda said. "If all of us pass the lifestyle check, will it improve his credibility? It doesn't. It's irrelevant."

Senator Franklin Drilon also downplayed Revilla's challenge for senators to undergo lifestyle checks, saying it was a "non-issue."

"Pinapalabo natin ang totoong issue: Ginamit ba ang pera ng taong bayan sa hindi tamang paraan? Involved ba sa anomalya ang mga kasama ko sa Senado?" Drilon said in a radio interview.

He said the senators'  Statement of Assets and Liabilities are already open to public scrutiny.