Ranillo willing to cooperate in 'pork' probe

MANILA, Philippines - Actor Mat Ranillo III, a new name that surfaced in "pork barrel" controversy, is willing to cooperate in the investigation, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.

Scam witness Ruby Tuason claimed in the Senate panel hearing Thursday that Ranillo was among detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles' agents who delivered kickbacks to Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

De Lima said that she has been receiving information that Ranillo will play a role in uncovering the abuses in the congressional funds.

Related: 'Napoles likes movie stars' -Ruby

His testimony, however, will still be assessed for its significance in the ongoing probe before he is allowed to appear as witness, De Lima said.

Tuason had claimed that Ranillo, with his wife Linda, delivered more than P11 million in cold cash as the senator's kickbacks to the house of socialite Justa Tantoco in Magallanes Village, Makati.

Tantoco was the chief-of-staff of former Senator Luisa "Loi" Ejercito, Estrada's mother.

Lead whistleblower Benhur Luy alleged that Napoles gave Ranillo a van, which he paid for by installments from his "pork" commission for ghost livelihood projects.

Read: ERC chair, Ranillo, socialite, Arroyo lawyer summoned to 'pork' probe