MANILA, Philippines — Budget Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad denied that he is among the "pork barrel" scam operators tagged by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, urging the public not to believe allegations without evidence.
"Until the public sees the true affidavit of Janet Lim Napoles, and until hard evidence supports the statements in this affidavit, everything is speculation, if not total fabrication, at this point," Abad said in a statement Tuesday.
"I ask the public not to immediately believe these allegations, but to weigh the only thing that matters in the end: the evidence," he added.
Citing a statement given to him by Napoles' family, Former Senator Panfilo Lacson admitted in a television show that Abad is among the personalities mentioned to be allegedly involved in the multi-billion peso scam.
Lacson said that allies of the Aquino administration and a significant number of lawmakers are in the combined list of Napoles and principal whistleblower Benhur Luy.
Read: Lacson identifies 5 officials on Napoles, Luy lists
Abad, however, vehemently denied he took part in embezzling Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) as a Batanes representative and as a Cabinet official.
"I have never dealt with Janet Lim Napoles or any of her fake NGOs in any way throughout my career in public service," he said.
"I have spent my professional life—inside government and in civil society—working to improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos by pushing for reforms in public governance," Abad continued.
Abad, considered among President Aquino's trusted officials, believes the dragging of names into the PDAF scandal is part of a plot to undermine the administration.
"I find it amusing, if not outright revolting, that I am once again in the crosshairs of those who want the Aquino Administration to fall," he said.
He also claimed that the "absurd allegations" are launched for the benefit of those seeking posts in the 2016 national elections.
"Nothing credible has been brought against me – but rather, unfounded allegations and malicious name-calling," Abad said, referring to the "pork king" labels directed at him.
Also read: Abad says 'pork king' tag ridiculous
Abad also urged the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman to "follow the evidence wherever it may lead them."