'Finish PDAF scam trial before next president takes over'

MANILA, Philippines — The pork barrel scam should be considered case closed within 500 days before the change of administration in 2016, Senate Majority leader Alan Cayetano said on Monday.

Cayetano said the next president will certainly have an influence on the fate of the government officials who have been charged for the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund diverted to the bogus foundations of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

"Alam natin na kung sino man ang Presidente, malaki ang impluwensya kung may makakasuhan o hindi, kung may mako-convict o hindi," Cayetano said in a statement.

The senator said this as he took a swipe at Vice President Jejomar Binay, who had declared his intention to seek the presidency in 2016.

Earlier this year, Cayetano challenged Binay to make a strong statement regarding his allies allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam - Senate Minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

Enrile, Estrada and Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. are facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly amassing kickbacks through the multibillion-peso scam.

"Kung sinuman ang magiging Presidente sa 2016, huwag tayong magbulag-bulagan, magkakaroon ng epekto yan sa kaso nitong tatlo," Cayetano said.

Cayetano, who had also announced his intention to join the presidential race, urged the Supreme Court to allow live media coverage on the plunder trial of the pork barrel scam cases at the Sandiganbayan.

"Kung naka-live yan, kung ano ang nakikita ng huwes, 'yun din ang nakikita ng bawat mamamayan o kaya naririnig sa radyo," he said.

The senator also supported the request of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales for the high court to designate at least two special divisions at the Sandiganbayan for the trial of the pork barrel scam cases. -Louis Bacani