Jinggoy attacks credibility of Cunanan, Tuason

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Jinggoy Estrada delivered a fiery privilege speech on Wednesday to assail the credibility of potential pork barrel scam state witnesses Dennis Cunanan and Ruby Tuason.

In his speech, Estrada once again denied the allegations against him, but this time, he also exposed the supposed "questionable" personal backgrounds of Cunanan and Tuason and raised suspicions about them.

"Has the [Department of Justice] deliberately omitted these facts and information from the Blue Ribbon Committee and the public just to support and build their case?" Estrada said. "Or are they simply not aware because they did not explore the background of these personalities that they are now supporting as provisional state witnesses?"

Estrada said the Senate should hold Cunanan in contempt for allegedly lying repeatedly when he testified in the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in February.

He pointed out that Cunanan had "lied brazenly" about graduating from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

The senator also raised doubts on Cunanan's claim in the last Senate hearing that he is only renting a house in White Plains in Quezon City from his brother, Darius.

But Estrada said Cunanan's brother does not have the financial capacity to purchase the house worth P12 million since he only earns P104,000.

Cunanan's over 80 foreign trips

Estrada also attacked Cunanan for his numerous expensive trips abroad as an official of the Technology Resource Center.

Citing data from the Bureau of Immigration, Estrada said Cunanan travelled more than 80 times in his 10 years of service.

These trips would last from weeks to a month, Estrada said.

"Ang mas kamangamangha dito, ang mga biyahe niya, kung hindi daw first class ay business class," Estrada said.

In 2013 alone, Estrada said Cunanan had 12 foreign trips, nine of them were with his wife.

"Napakasarap naman po ng buhay nitong si Dennis Cunanan," Estrada said.

Ruby Tuason's properties

Estrada also threw the mud at Tuason by also raising doubts on her properties.

He said Tuason allegedly has an P80-million corporation, a jewelry store and other numerous properties in the country and in Las Vegas and California.

In 2009, Tuason bought a P45-million mansion in Dasmariñas Village in Makati City using her supposed kickbacks from the Malampaya funds, according to Estrada.

He said Tuason got the largest kickbacks in the Malampaya scam - P242 million.

Estrada also criticized Tuason for claiming that her dead sibling was the one who benefitted from these funds.

"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? People who would not hesitate to drag the name of a dead brother just to conceal their own guilt? People who pose as reformists and whistle-blowers to mitigate their own greed?" Estrada asked.