MANILA, Philippines - Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday criticized Senator Teofisto Guingona III for supposedly prejudging the outcome of the chamber's committee hearing on the alleged pork barrel scam.
Estrada, who is facing plunder charges over the scandal, said he was hurt by the parting statements of Guingona, who described the Senate testimony of potential state witness Ruby Tuason as a "three-point, buzzer beater winning shot."
With this remark, Estrada said Guingona has already judged them as guilty, which he said is "unfair."
Guingona is the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which has been conducting the hearings on the pork barrel scam.
"Is it right for a chairman of the committee to prejudge the outcome of any committee hearing?" Estrada said in a televised speech at the Senate. "What is the reason to call for another hearing if has already judged me as guilty?"
Estrada said he will not back down after Guingona's remarks.
"If he chooses that battle, [then] I will give him that battle. No problem with me," Estrada said. "Magkakasama po tayo rito lahat. Pero para husgahan ako na guilty, hindi po ako papayag diyan. Lalabanan ko po iyan dahil wala akong kasalanan sa taongbayan!"
Last Thursday, Tuason told the Blue Ribbon Committee that she delivered in 2008 a combined amount of at least P9 million to Estrada.
According to Tuason, a former social secretary of ousted President Joseph Estrada, at least two of those deliveries were made in the Senate building.
The younger Estrada downplayed the allegations of Tuason.
"In fact and in truth, her testimony was really empty," Estrada said.