Senators deny 'pork' list

MANILA, Philippines - At least seven incumbent senators, who were implicated by Janet Lim Napoles into the pork barrel scam, questioned Tuesday the integrity of the list being circulated among the media.

Senators Loren Legarda, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Francis Escudero,  Aquilino Pimentel III, Alan Cayetano and his sister,  Pia Cayetano, belied links with Napoles.

“I categorically deny any alleged involvement with Ms. Janet Napoles. I do not know her and have never dealt with her personally or otherwise," Legarda said.

Legarda, who has also been implicated by whistleblower Benhur Luy, said she has never endorsed any NGO to benefit from her PDAF.

Legarda also disputed Napoles’ alleged affidavit, identifying her as one of the senators who benefitted from the pork barrel scam.

“Any statement to the contrary that may be in her supposed affidavit is a perjured lie and is actionable criminally against her and all those involved in this political smear campaign,” Legarda said.

Escudero also denied knowing Napoles.

“Wala akong ina-allocate, maski na piso, na PDAF o anumang pondo sa NGO ni Napoles, wala rin akong pinakinabangan mula sa kanya,” Escudero said.

Escudero questioned the integrity of the list submitted to Sec. Panfilo Lacson, who submitted copies of the list and Napoles’ affidavit to the Senate Tuesday.

“(Inaayunan) ninyo ba na totoo 'yung sinasabi ni Napoles? Itong asawa ni Janet Napoles na si Jimmy Napoles, galing daw yung listahan ni Secretary Lacson sa kanya,” Escudero said.

Marcos said he would rather see the list first rather than comment on the pork barrel controversy.  He maintained that he has never misused his pork barrel allocations.

In a statement, former Sen. Manny Villar also belied any involvement with Napoles or the non government organizations (NGOs) being tagged into the scam.

“I have no personal nor official dealings with Napoles and her bogus NGOs ever. It’s very unfair, not to mention totally baseless that my name is being dragged into this issue, which has become so politicized,”  said Villar, president of developer Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc.

“It seems that a new list is being drawn everyday. I too hope for the truth to come out, which the taxpaying public justly deserves,” Villar added.

Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Napoles’ alleged list was a “weapon of mass distraction and destruction” in a bid to divert the attention of the public from the real culprits of the pork barrel fund misuse.

“Destruction dahil gusto niyang magiba, ma-destroy ang mga kumakalaban sa kanya at sa mga kasabwat niya.  Si Napoles lang at mga kasabwat niya ang nakikinabang sa gulong ito,” Alan said.

Alan maintained that he holds himself to the same standards as all public officials.  “I have nothing to do with Napoles. I have never met with her.  Ni singko wala kami nilagay sa any business nya o kaya NGO niya,” he said.

In the narration of events prepared by Napoles, a copy of which was submitted to Lacson, the pork barrel operator said  Alan pocketed 50 percent during their supposed transaction.

A certain “Tito Boy” acted as Alan’s agent. "Tito Boy"  also received a five-percent share for the pork barrel fund deals.  Napoles added that the senator’s projects were implemented through “Tito Boy”, who uses a different company for the projects.

“My role was mostly a financier,” Napoles supposedly said in a narration of events.  During the last elections, Cayetano also personally received cash for his campaign in a meeting at the Slice Restaurant at The Fort, which is widely known to be owned by Alan’s sister.

Sen. Pia Cayetano said she has not met nor dealt with Napoles.

Senators Vicente Sotto and Gregorio Honasan have yet to issue a statement on the controversy.