'No political crisis due to pork barrel scam'

MANILA, Philippines — There is no political issue involved in the misuse of lawmakers' Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), according to Senate President Franklin Drilon.

During the televised Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, Drilon responded in the negative when asked if a political crisis is possible due to the multibillion-peso PDAF scam which has now tagged more officials following the different "Napolists" that have surfaced.

The "Napolists" were supposedly prepared by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the suspected scam mastermind, who allegedly listed down the senators and congressmen who had transactions with her and her bogus non-government organizations.

"The pork barrel scam is basically a violation of the law - the Anti-Graft Act. There is no political issue involved. Let me make that clear. Hindi po ito tungkol sa politika," Drilon said.

Saying the issue is a matter of upholding the anti-graft law, Drilon expressed confidence that the country's justice system will properly address and respond to the pork barrel scam.

"Ang mga alegasyon ay tungkol sa paglabag sa batas. Kaya kung sino ang nagkamali, ang nagkasala na may ebidenisya, dapat silang ikulong," Drilon added.

He also denied that the Senate is in crisis and reiterated that it will not "collapse" once proven that more senators and officials dealt with Napoles.

While some members of the chamber are troubled due to the scam, Drilon said the Senate as an institution "remains strong."

"The Senate is different from the people who compose it. People may come and go, but the Senate will remain as an institution of democracy and as a vital part of our democratic government," Drilon said.

Amid the pork barrel scam, Drilon said the institution remains committed to pass various measures that are needed and would benefit the country.

He said various bills of national relevance concerning education, the youth, strengthening of political system, health and senior citizens' welfare are now being passed.

Drilon said the Senate hopes to pass 16 priority bills before Congress adjourns in June.