Jinggoy urges Guingona to resign for 'neglecting' Malampaya fund scam

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Jinggoy Estrada slammed Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Sen. Teofisto Guingona on Tuesday for allegedly allowing the Senate to be used for political purposes instead of its real purpose of conducting inquiries in aid of legislation.

Estrada also called for Guingona’s resignation for failure to do his job with partiality.

“The partiality and neglect of the incumbent chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon panel over significant issues before it necessitate a change in the committee leadership. I believe that under Sen. Guingona, no productive, meaningful output can be expected; only mud-slinging and selective justice,” Estrada said.

In a statement sent from his detention cell at Camp Crame, Estrada said Guingona’s dismal ranking outside of the top 12 in the recent Pulse Asia survey “is indicative of the public’s disgust over his mishandling of the PDAF (priority development assistance fund) controversy.”

“Under his chairmanship, the Blue Ribbon has turned into a tool to persecute personalities and besmirch reputation of people, especially members of the opposition,” said Estrada, who is detained for plunder charges.

“The committee has become a mere instrument to crush the opposition (as what is being done now to Vice President Binay) while protecting its allies. No wonder Sen. Guingona is the highest pointer and apparently most valuable player with respect to Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds,” he said.

Estrada was referring to Guingona’s inclusion in the list recipients of funds under DAP, portions of which were found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Estrada also reiterated his call for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to start the conduct of hearings on the Malampaya fund scam. 

Estrada said the Blue Ribbon can proceed with the hearings despite the absence of Commission on Audit Chair Gracia Pulido-Tan. 

“Until now, Sen. Guingona has not scheduled a hearing on the Malampaya Fund scam,” Estrada said, noting that the Blue Ribbon had not lifted a finger since he sought for an inquiry a year ago.

The Malampaya fund scam was bared in July, 2013. A resolution calling for an inquiry was filed last September 2013.

"But no action was ever done about it. The issue becomes timelier as proposals have been raised about the possibility of using the Malampaya Fund to avert a possible power crisis next year,” Estrada said.