Poe tells Senate body: Filipinos need to hear Napoles talk

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Grace Poe on Friday invoked public interest in pushing for the reopening of the Blue Ribbon committee's inquiry into the pork barrel scam amid pork barrel scam operator Janet Lim Napoles' sudden turnaround.

Poe clarified that the reopening of the inquiry would not center on Napoles' qualifications as a state witness, which she acknowledges should be determined by Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan.

"Sa paksa ng state witness, ang may karapatan na magdetermina ay ang Ombudsman," she said.

She said that the public has the right to hear from Napoles herself the contents of her affidavit, which was submitted to the Department of Justice after she underwent a surgery earlier this week.

"Lalo na hindi pa naming alam ang nilalaman ng affidavit pero sa tingin ko, may karapatan din ang tao na marinig sa bibig mismo ni Napoles ang kaniyang salaysay," Poe said.

Poe contradicted the position of Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Blue Ribbon committee, that the panel should wait for Napoles to finish her testimony before the Department of Justice.

"Kung ang hearing sa Senado ang siyang magiging daan para makamit ito ay dapat lang na maimbitahan muli sa hearing si Napoles," she said.

Poe also supported calls for the release of the names of lawmakers who have been tagged by Napoles in her affidavit.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has confirmed that Napoles tagged Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla in her affidavit.

There are reports that Napoles tagged at least 13 senators and several members of the House of Representatives.

"Marami man ang sangkot dito, dapat bawat pangalan sa listahan ay ilabas. Pagkakataon ito na mapurga, linisin at repormahin ang mga institusyon na binaboy nila," she said.

Poe also expressed her personal view that there is no need to review first Napoles' affidavit before she is summoned anew to the Senate.

She added that it will be up to the people to determine the sincerity of Napoles in revealing the truth, which can be asserted once she appears before the Senate.

"Kung anong mga katanungan na ayaw sagutin noon ni Napoles sa Senate hearing ay maaring tatanungin namin ulit para mapatunayan nga kung tapat si Napoles sa kaniyang pagpapahiwatig na magsasabi na siya ng buong katotohanan," she added.

More time for DOJ with Napoles

Saying that the Blue Ribbon Committee has opted to take the prudent course regarding the matter, Guingona said he will give the DOJ more time to allow Napoles to complete her affidavit and back her claims with evidence.

"We will wait for Secretary De Lima to finish documenting the supposed disclosure of Janet Lim-Napoles," Guingona said.

Upon receipt of the affidavit of Napoles by the Blue Ribbon Committee, Guingona said the panel has to evaluate the matter before making the final decision.

The Blue Ribbon has issued a preliminary report on the pork barrel inquiry last month, supporting the filing of plunder complaints against Enrile, Estrada and Revilla.

Also on Thursday, Senate President Franklin Drilon and Sen. Chiz Escudero raised skepticism over Napoles' moves.

Drilon said he is all for the release of the supposed list of lawmakers that Napoles has implicated in the pork barrel scam.

Drilon reiterated, however, that when it is released, there should be substantial documentary evidence to support the charges.