Senate probe on pork barrel scam resumes today

MANILA, Philippines - The investigation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam will continue on Thursday morning.

Senator Teofisto Guingona III, committee chair, said the seventh public hearing will focus on policy issues of non-government organizations (NGO) that deal with government contracts.

Among those invited as resource persons are Commission on Audit chairperson Maria Grace Pulido-Tan, Security and Exchange Commission chairperson Teresita Herbosa, Atty. Dennis Santiago, Executive Director of the Government Procurement Policy Board; and Philippine Council for NGO Certification chairman Augusto Carpio.

In a previous hearing, alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles denied accusations that she conspired with lawmakers and their staff in diverting pork barrel funds to fake projects and NGOs she supposedly set up.

Napoles is facing plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman along with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. for their alleged involvement in the scam.

More than 30 other individuals are also facing charges in connection with the case.

In separate privilege speeches, the three accused senators have belied the accusations hurled against them.