De Lima: More charges in PDAF, Malampaya scams in 2 weeks

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said more individuals in the alleged pork barrel and Malampaya fund scams will be charged in the coming weeks.

During the fifth hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, De Lima said they will file charges next week against those involved in the alleged Malampaya fund mess.

In the week after, De Lima said they will also file the second batch of charges against others tagged in the multi-million pork barrel scam, allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles.

Earlier this month, the Department of Justice filed before the Office of Ombudsman charges of plunder, malversation of public funds and for other offenses against over 30 individuals including Napoles.

Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla Jr. are facing plunder charges for allegedly receiving kickbacks after channeling their pork barrel to bogus NGOs supposedly set up by Napoles.

At the hearing on Thursday, principal whistleblower Benhur Luy said Napoles has 20 non-government organizations: eight received pork barrel while the 12 got the Malampaya funds.

"P900-M ang nakulimbat ni Napoles from Malampaya funds," Luy said.

Reservations on presenting witnesses

While she obeyed the subpoena for the whistleblowers, De Lima on Thursday expressed her reservations on the presentation of the witnesses before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

De Lima said presenting the whistleblowers can telegraph information previously not made public in the prosecution of cases in the pork scam.

"Having the witnesses talk in further detail about what they know can reveal parts of our legal strategy, the identities of others who may be charged in the near future, and other matters regarded as privileged law enforcement information," De Lima said.

She said public testimony of the witnesses in the Senate will put them and their families as well as the future of the cases "at greater risk."

"It would drastically help the case if public statements from the witnesses would cease," she said.