Luy’s ex-lawyer: Miriam not on my list

MANILA, Philippines - The former lawyer of principal whistle-blower Benhur Luy has denied including Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago in a list of legislators allegedly involved in the pork barrel fund scam.

An enraged Santiago said the list that included her name, prepared by Luy’s former lawyer Levito Baligod, might have been tampered with.

She threatened to move for the disbarment of Baligod, who said Santiago’s name apparently cropped up in an interview with rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson.

Santiago pointed out her name was not in the list allegedly drawn up by Luy.

The list came out in a news report that claimed as its source the digital files of the records of Janet Lim-Napoles’ office, saved in a hard disk drive that Luy reportedly kept.

Luy, through his lawyer Raji Mendoza, has stated he had nothing to do with the digital files and could not vouch for their authenticity.

In a television interview, Baligod said Lacson might have committed an error when he claimed Santiago was in the list of Luy.

The list held by Lacson, as well as the list signed and submitted by Napoles to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, also did not contain the name of Santiago.

“Some people are trying to sow confusion in the investigation and prosecution of those involved in the pork barrel scam,” Baligod was quoted as saying in the interview.

Baligod also reportedly said that apart from Santiago, the other senators in the list were Senate President Franklin Drilon and Francis Escudero.

Santiago said she would reveal the people who “poisoned” the Baligod list, insinuating they are her long-time enemies.

She said her vindication should serve to inspire young people to enter government because, no matter how malicious crooks are, the truth will eventually prevail.