Gov’t to file more ‘pork’ scam cases

MANILA, Philippines - More cases will be filed in connection with the pork barrel fund scam along with other efforts to jail the corrupt in the public and private sector, President Aquino said yesterday.

“Prominent lawmakers, former heads of GOCCs (government-owned and controlled corporations) and government agencies, and others in the private sector who conspired to steal from the people through the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) have been arrested and are now undergoing the appropriate processes to determine accountability. We should emphasize: these are only the initial cases filed; more will come once the necessary evidence is assembled,” Aquino said at the 2nd State Conference on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in Malacañang.

“Since we last met, our administration has filed an additional 159 cases against smugglers, tax evaders and erring government officials through the Run After the Smugglers, Run After Tax Evaders, and Revenue Integrity Protection Service programs,” he said.

The President was referring to senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. as the prominent lawmakers who were charged, along with suspected pork barrel fund scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles from the private sector.

“I already spoke of some of these initiatives during last year’s conference: the websites through which our countrymen can better understand the budget and the budgeting process, and also report corrupt practices of officials, are still active and online for everyone’s use,” Aquino said.

“With the 2016 elections not too far off, let us always remember that we are working to make change permanent, to make the commitment to good governance a commitment that lasts beyond this administration,” he said.

Aquino said the government is working to rid the country of the corruption that has tainted its reputation.

“We are working to institutionalize a legacy that finds its roots in the mindset of our countrymen, who will never again settle for anything less than true public service,” he said.

To ensure judicious use of funds and prevent corruption, Aquino said the crafting of the national budget was reformed since loss of funds due to leaks in the systems or because of corruption could deprive Filipinos of the benefits they deserve.

Despite the junking of the Truth Commission that would have looked into the graft and corruption cases involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to make her accountable sooner rather than later, Aquino said the administration persisted and cancelled anomalous projects and GOCCs that were once the cash cows of a corrupt few underwent reforms.