Miriam: No to ethics probe of pork scam

MANILA - Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago rejected Thursday Sen. Jinggoy Estrada's proposal to let the Senate ethics committee investigate the alleged pork barrel scam implicating three senators. A radio DZMM report quoted Santiago as saying that the pork barrel scam implicating Senators Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile and Bong Revilla is a "hot issue" and should be handled by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. She also said the investigation should not be stopped just because two senators are at odds. Estrada earlier scored Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman TG Guingona for allegedly prejudging him and the other senators linked to the scam. He said socialite Ruby Tuason approached other senators about the scheme to funnel priority development assistance funds to fake non-government organizations of Janet Lim Napoles. Santiago said Estrada should name names since the allegation is "unfair to those who are not implicated. She also said Estrada's naming of other senators would improve his credibility. RADIO DZMM, February 20, 2014