No report yet on PCSO mess

Not so fast.

First Lady Luisa Ejercito and San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada have not yet been cleared by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said yesterday.

Pimentel, the committee's chairman, said they will meet again on Tuesday next week to report on the allegations of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office director Sister Christine Tan that the office of Mrs. Ejercito and her son were favored in the distribution of PCSO funds.

President Estrada has asked the Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate Tan's allegations.

Pimentel said that based on the testimonies of Mrs. Ejercito and Tan during the initial hearing, the committee cannot yet determine whether or not there was an anomaly or misuse of PCSO funds.

He said it is too early to say when the Blue Ribbon Committee will hear the testimonies and gather the documentary evidence regarding the allegations of Tan.

Pimentel said he expects to complete the investigation within a week after the last hearing.

In her testimony, Tan denied having accused the First Family of any wrongdoing and that she had protested the manner of her ouster from the PCSO board and the uneven distribution of PCSO funds. -