DOJ to file third batch of pork barrel cases next week — De Lima

Department of Justice. Photo courtesy of doj.gov.ph

MANILA -– Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday said the DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is now ready to file third batch of pork barrel cases next week.

”It will be filed next week,” De Lima said in a media interview before the confirmation of her appointment by the Commission on Appointments (CA).

De Lima said the next batch would be the last set of cases of misused priority development assistance fund (PDAF) from 2007 to 2009.

The DOJ chief refused to confirm whether more senators have been listed in the third batch of cases.

”I cannot confirm nor deny if there is senator. We cannot tell you who are being charged,” she said.

De Lima said the first batch which has already reached the Sandiganbayan was composed of 39 individuals, including 3 senators and 5 congressmen, while the second batch comprised seven congressmen and no senator.

The three senators already charged with plunder and graft and corruption include Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr.

Unlike in the first batch, De Lima said the third batch comprised no individual that received kickback equal or over the P50 million threshold for plunder.