MANILA, (PNA) -– Amid the pork barrel controversy, Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano on Tuesday urged the Filipino people to remain calm and trust the determination of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III to end graft and corruption in the country.
”Let’s put our trust to other officials like our President,” Cayetano said in radio interview.
Cayetano said anarchy would take place if the public will have no full trust and confidence on government officials who remain honest and clean in the conduct of their duties.
”If other officials commit mistakes, let’s remind them. But let’s assert trust to some of our leaders because anarchy will take place if we don’t trust them,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano, however, asked the people to vigilant in guarding the people’s money against unscrupulous officials and individuals.
”Regardless of your stand on pork barrel, do not give up the issue of anti-corruption or good governance because it’s your money,” the senator said.
Cayetano made this appeal amid massive call to abolish the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) suspected tainted with irregularities including the P10 billion allegedly released to fake non-government organizations (NGOs) formed by Janet Lim Napoles.
While he supports Napoles’ appearance in the Senate probe, Cayetano remains doubtful if the alleged pork scam mastermind will reveal everything regarding the misused PDAF of some lawmakers.
”Unless she (Napoles) will have spiritual awakening, do we expect her to admit everything? I have not seen a criminal who revealed the truth unless she or he has spiritual awakening,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano believes Napoles’ statement in the Senate investigation is not necessary “because there are already the evidences, the documents and the whistleblowers.”
”The good news for our countrymen is that Ms. Napoles need not speak. Out of curiosity, of course, we want her presence. But for the case, we don’t need to hear from her. We have the evidences, the documents and the whistleblowers,” he said.
Cayetano is hoping that the lawmakers linked in the scam will also appear in the next Senate inquiry set on November 7.
Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada were among the lawmakers accused and charged with plunder in the Office of the Ombudsman.