MANILA, Philippines — Even officials close to President Benigno Aquino III will bear the brunt of law if businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles implicates them in the pork barrel scam, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the focus of the government is the quest for truth and the President has repeatedly proclaimed that the evidence—even if it's unfavorable to his allies—must provide the directions in the case.
"We have time and again pointed out that the symbol of justice of this country is a blind-folded lady carrying the scales of justice and that means that there is no fear or favor in the exercise of our responsibility to bring to the bar of justice those who are involved in the alleged misuse of public funds," Coloma said at a televised press briefing.
"Wala pong kinikilingan ang ating administrasyon. Walang pinipili na tukuyin. Ang batayan lamang ay konkretong ebidensya," the Palace official added.
Malacañang's statements came after Justice Secretary Leila De Lima met with Napoles and obtained her supposed "tell-all" sworn statement.
De Lima revealed that Napoles expressed her intent to turn state witness and has pinned down three lawmakers linked to the scandal - Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada.
She, however, refused to confirm reports that Napoles also named 19 more incumbent and former senators, including members of the President's ruling Liberal Party.
Atty. Bruce Rivera, Napoles legal counsel, denied on Wednesday that Napoles tagged 19 more senators.
Read: Napoles did not tag 19 senators - lawyer
Meanwhile, Senate President Franklin Drilon also wants the full and immediate prosecution of all individuals involved in the pork barrel scam, regardless of political affiliation.
Drilon, a known ally of President Aquino, said the search for justice "should be blind to political colors."
"I fully support the full prosecution of all individuals involved in the pork barrel scam. The quest for justice must spare no one no matter their affiliation, and even the administration lawmakers and allies of the President must be covered by the investigation and its eventual prosecution," the Senate leader said.
Drilon also called for an "atmosphere of sobriety" as he cautioned against turning the process of finding out the truth into opportunities for mudslinging and smear campaigns that "serve only to further the personal and political causes of some individuals."
"I understand that this issue provides a lot of opportunities for political attacks. But we should not muddle the issue by embarking on witch hunts and black propaganda and ruin the sincere efforts to find the truth and render justice," he said.