PDAF scam whistleblower gets support from neighbors

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - The neighbors here of whistle blower Benhur Luy said they are happy over the surrender of Janet Lim Napoles, tagged in the over P10-billion pork barrel scam, to President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang Wednesday night.

In a narrow alley of a compound of former squatting residents along the Unity Drive in Crispin Atilano street,  Barangay Tetuan, people in the neighborhood were gathered outside,  talking and speculating over the case of their “generous neighbor” Luy  who squealed on the alleged pork barrel anomaly.

While the adults talk, children, who are the beneficiaries of Luy’s generosity every Christmas season, are running around the alley,  unaware of their benefactor’s fate.

Meanwhile, the house of Arturo Luy, father of Benhur, however, was silent and the grill gate was locked with occupants obviously avoiding media interviews.

However, the father of Luy was reportedly happy over Napoles' surrender of Napoles but refused to give a  public statement upon the advice of his lawyer, said a sister of Luy who asked not to be named when sought for comment.

However, the neighbors believed that the surrender of Napoles will help shed light on what really happened to Benhur, who was allegedly detained by his former boss and relative, prompting him to speak about how the legislators’ millions of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) were diverted to bogus non-government organizations.

“We are happy that Napoles surrendered and Benhur can help shed light on the case,” Rose Marie Santos said.

Bibing Galantao, whose house is beside the house of Luys, said she is happy that the surrender of Napoles will also help clear the name of Benhur.

Some male residents in the area, however, expressed concern that Napoles' surrender could endanger Luy, believing that Napoles could be protected by  legislators involved in the alleged misuse of PDAF.

“Mas lalo ng may protection ngayon si Napoles at siyempre nangangamba kami sa proteksyon ng kapitbahay namin. Mabait pa naman siya sa mga bata dito dahil tuwing Pasko ay hindi siya nakakalimot sa mga bata dito,” according to a male neighbor of the Luys.  - Roel  Pareño