Napoles’ claim vs. Drilon should be investigated: Palace

FILE: Pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles (PNA photo)

MANILA — Malacanang on Tuesday said the claim of alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles that she gave election campaign donation to Senator Franklin Drilon should be investigated.

“Well, I think it is something that should be investigated. This is information which, for the first time, was revealed by Janet Lim Napoles,” Roque said during Palace briefing.

In an interview with television broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, Napoles said she gave PHP5 million to Drilon during the 2010 elections.

“I think, the Constitution, in providing for accountability of public officers is the legal basis for the relevant government agency to conduct an investigation,” Roque said.

Roque said both the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) could conduct their own probe on Napoles’ latest allegation.

He said that Napoles, being the key figure in the pork barrel scam, should back up her statement against Drilon with “physical evidence.”

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo agreed with Roque that Napoles should execute sworn statement to make herself credible.

“Otherwise, it’s just hearsay. Just to be fair to everyone,” Panelo said.

Panelo downplayed speculation that the Duterte administration is using Napoles to pin down his critics.

“Definitely, this administration does not interfere with anybody. That’s the absolute policy: no interference with any department or agency,” Panelo said.

Drilon, an ally of former President Benigno Aquino III, has denied Napoles’ allegation, calling it ‘fake news.’

Napoles, a businesswoman, had allegedly channeled some PHP10 billion in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) into the ghost projects of several lawmakers.

“Napoles is the only person who can prove as to what really happened to this PDAF issue. So let’s listen to Janet Lim-Napoles on what kind of evidence she has now,” Roque said in a separate interview with Tulfo on Monday.

Roque is hoping that the opposition will not consider Napoles’ claim as an attack against them.