Jinggoy: DOJ exec asked witnesses to pin us down

MANILA, Philippines - Embattled Senator Jinggoy Estrada claimed on Wednesday that potential state witnesses Dennis Cunanan and Ruby Tuason were focused on pinning him down under the instructions of a Department of Justice (DOJ) undersecretary.

Estrada revealed this in a privilege speech as he questioned the credibility and personal backgrounds of Cunanan and Tuason, both who have been accused of getting kickbacks in the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.

"Are these the kinds of witnesses that the DOJ is now staunchly vouching and spending for under its Witness Protection Program? People who cannot even be honest about their real educational background?" Estrada asked.

The senator pointed out that Cunanan has lied that he graduated from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He also raised suspicions about Tuason's financial background and her properties.

Estrada asked if the DOJ now desperate to pursue the pork barrel case by employing "half-truths and perjured testimonies."

"Is this the handiwork of an undersecretary of the DOJ, who, I am informed by unimpeachable sources, [told the witnesses] to focus only on this representation and Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Bong Revilla. Jr?" Estrada said.

The three senators are facing plunder charges for allegedly pocketing kickbacks from pork barrel funds diverted to fake foundations of suspected scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

As he denied the accusations, Estrada also tried to drag other lawmakers to the pork barrel controversy, citing the a report of the Commission on Audit (COA).

He pointed out that the COA also found out in its report that other lawmakers also supposedly poured pork barrel funds to foundations using government agencies as conduits.

The senator cited as example, Cunanan's agency, the Technology Resource Center, which was used as conduit in releasing P2.44 billion in pork barrel funds from 200 legislators to 39 non-government organizations.