Why Speaker Belmonte doesn't believe 'Napolist'
MANILA - Speaker Sonny Belmonte is not placing any importance to Janet Napoles' list of lawmakers including congressmen allegedly linked to the pork barrel scam. In a DZMM report, Belmonte said there are too many holes in the affidavits submitted by Napoles to the Department of Justice. He said Napoles mentioned names but no details of the alleged transactions. He also said Napoles named agents and alleged staff members of lawmakers who got kickbacks from her even if the projects did not push through. Belmonte described Napoles as a polluted source and said inclusion in the "Napolist" does not equal guilt. Nevertheless, the Speaker urged congressmen being linked to the scam to prepare their records in order to defend themselves. Napoles has linked several past and present lawmakers to the pork barrel scam, which saw billions of pesos in priority development assistance funds being funneled to Napoles NGOs. At least three senators - Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada - are facing plunder charges before the Ombudsman for their alleged links to the scam.