Palace: Lacson's Napoles list mere scrap of paper

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday belittled the "Napolist" submitted by rehab czar Panfilo Lacson to the Senate implicating administration allies in the pork barrel scam.

 

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda reminded the public that the list was part of the unsigned affidavit obtained by Lacson from the husband of alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

 

"In law kasi ang tawag namin diyan sa unsigned affidavit it's a mere scrap of paper," Lacierda said.

 

He said it is totally unfair to assume that those accused in the list, including allies of the President Aquino, are guilty.

 

"Accusations are not proof," Lacierda said, urging the public to look for evidence.

 

But Lacierda reiterated that the government's search for justice will not spare allies. He recalled President Aquino's pronouncement that the probe will go where the evidence leads, 

 

Lacierda said the Department of Justice will thoroughly evaluate any accusation, regardless if it is against an administration's "friend or foe."

 

"Otherwise, any Tom, Dick and Harry can just point an accusation against an individual and immediately people will think that he is guilty," Lacierda said.

 

The list submitted by Lacson yesterday included the names of several administration allies such as Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Joel Villanueva.