Enough proof vs. Jinggoy, JPE, Bong — Ombudsman

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in a senate hearing. / Photo from her Facebook Page

MANILA — Evidence to prove the guilt of the three senators charged with plunder for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam is enough, according to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Carpio-Morales, who was in New York for a study tour, told the Filipino community there that they have found probable cause to indict Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada.

Upon the invitation of US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, Morales went to U.S. to teach her American counterparts some strategies in fighting corruption.

“You know what he said, ‘Why haven’t you gone to the States?’ My answer was because no one has invited me,” she said. “And then he said, ‘this much we can promise you as of now, you are going on a study tour,’” Morales narrated.

The tour was made possible despite the ombudsman’s hectic schedule following the numerous cases filed against more than a hundred lawmakers for their alleged involvement in the controversial P10 billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

Despite the senators’ denial of involvement in the scam, Carpio-Morales said that her office has found enough proof to convict Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada and the alleged mastermind, Janet Lim-Napoles.

“Of course, they filed a motion for reconsideration, and I understand they are now awaiting my return,” she said. “I’m prepared to face them. I was telling them I have yet to study in earnest their motion for reconsideration, so only God knows if they will be indicted in court.”

With reports from ABS-CBN News