Senate panel won't reopen 'pork' probe yet

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will first wait for the supposed tell-all affidavit of Janet Lim-Napoles before deciding if the investigation on the pork barrel scam will be reopened.

Senator Teofisto Guingona III, the committee chairman, said this on Thursday amid calls for the Senate panel to resume its inquiry into the alleged diversion of lawmakers' Priority Development Assistance Fund to the supposed bogus foundations of Napoles.

"The Blue Ribbon Committee has opted to take the prudent course regarding this matter," Guingona said in a statement.

The senator said they will wait for Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to finish documenting the supposed disclosure of Napoles.

He said the Blue Ribbon Committee will evaluate Napoles' affidavit before making a final decision whether or not the Senate probe will continue.

Earlier this week, De Lima said she met with Napoles on Monday night at the Ospital ng Makati and took a "tell-all" sworn statement from the detained businesswoman.

The Justice chief said Napoles confirmed the involvement of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile as well as Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada in the alleged scam.

Napoles and three senators were among the more than 30 individuals indicted by the Office Ombudsman last April 1 for graft and plunder charges for amassing kickbacks from the scheme.

They were indicted on the same day when the Blue Ribbon Committee also presented a preview of its report on the controversy, which recommended the filing of several cases against Napoles, the three senators and other personalities.

The Senate held nine hearings on the pork barrel scam in aid of legislation.