Only the guilty would consider search for the truth about corruption-Lacson

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, July 6, 2011-Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said Wednesday that only the guilty would consider searching for the truth about corruption a waste of time where he brushed off Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio Arroyo Jr.'s claim that reopening the Jose Pidal account will be a shameless and monumental waste of time.

Lacson said that the search for truth about corruption and misuse and abuse of public funds will never be a waste of time and resources. Only those who support such shenanigans are themselves guilty of committing those acts will say so, adding that if going after crooks in government, especially those who take advantage of public funds, is a waste of time, I'd still spend a lifetime pursuing it.

Earlier, Lacson said he may have evidence disproving the claim of Representative Arroyo - a brother of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo - that he owns the “Jose Pidal” accounts.

Rep. Arroyo is now a colleague of his sister-in-law, former President Gloria Arroyo, in the House of Representatives.

In 2003, Lacson delivered a privilege speech where he linked the then First Gentleman to the “Jose Pidal” bank accounts, which documents showed were used for laundering money.

While the then First Gentleman denied the allegations, now Rep. Arroyo came forward and claimed that he was the owner of the bank accounts.

On Tuesday, Rep. Arroyo said in a statement that a Senate probe had been conducted but no wrongdoing on our part was proven. “Why should Senator Lacson waste time on another replay? For media mileage,” he was quoted as saying.

“What is truly shameless and monumental is the Arroyos’ reign of manipulation, fraud and deceit,” Lacson said, adding that contrary to Iggy's claim, there was no closure in the Jose Pidal probe because it was swept under the rug by his persistent invoking of his right to privacy. (Jason de Asis)