By Azer Parrocha
MANILA, (PNA) — The names of the so-called ‘big three’ or the three senators allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam have already been brought up numerous times.
But the questions is — is it time to ‘grill’ them?
Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, Chair, of the Blue Ribbon Committee, told reporters on Thursday that although names have been dropped, the Senate has yet to call them for investigating.
Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. were repeatedly cited in various testimonies as having funnelled pork barrel to Janet Napoles-linked NGOs.
“Until we see the whole story, we will make the necessary call,” Guingona said, explaining that he could not yet say how many more hearings needed to be conducted but the next hearing will be done next Thursday.
He further said that he looked forward to next hearing because by then, Former National Agribusiness Corporation president, Allan Javellana will be bringing the liquidation documents for the Senate to review.
Javellana’s memory seemed to have failed him during Thursday’s probe, Guingona said, but with the documents, it will be easier for him to remember.
“We have names coming out and what is important here that in the next hearing the former and present heads of ZREC (ZNAC Rubber Estate Corporation) and NABCOR will produce the documents,” Guingona stated.
“Documents are important because they say the release of the money in the projects is not a one-time release it is in four tranches. A requirement before the next tranche is released should be liquidated,” he added.
Because the ones the liquidation papers were signed by the legislators, Guingona said that there was no way they could deny that they did not know about the projects.
“It is still unfolding and testimonies can be subject to memory but with documents, they will prove who is telling the truth,” Guingona said.
He added that for the meantime, the three senators involved were nevertheless, willing to answer questions.