‘Beneficiaries’ deny getting Revilla’s ‘pork’

MANILA, Philippines - At least three municipal officials yesterday denied receiving any livelihood or agricultural assistance from the office of former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. in connection with projects supposed to have been funded by his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel.

On the third day of the trial of Revilla’s plunder case before the Sandiganbayan First Division, incumbent Quirino Vice Gov. May Calaunan said Diffun town did not receive any agricultural production kits or livelihood projects when she was mayor from 2001 to 2010 even if it was named as a beneficiary of Revilla’s PDAF in receipts submitted by the non-government organizations (NGOs) chosen by Revilla.

Jeanien Cervantes, a registration officer of Atimonan, Quezon, said her signature on the documents in connection with the projects was forged.

Efren Notorio, chairman of Barangay Duhat in Plaridel, Quezon, said their village was listed as among the beneficiaries of Revilla’s PDAF despite receiving nothing.

Notorio said his signature and those of some residents of the village were forged. 

During the hearing, Revilla’s lawyer Estelito Mendoza said the forged documents have no bearing on the case against his client, who is accused of amassing of P224 million in kickbacks by allocating his PDAF to the fake NGOs linked with alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

Revilla said he was also a victim of forgery since his signature appeared in some documents concerning his projects.

“I am also a victim. Those who were truly responsible for these ghost projects should be held liable,” Revilla said.