Drilon: Jail those who misused PDAF

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today that those who are proven to have misused the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) must be prosecuted with the full force of the law regardless of their rank and position in government.

“This issue of corruption in the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) has already been politicized. But my appeal is that let us just concentrate on the policy of prosecution and orderly administration of justice,” said Drilon.

“We must all work towards prosecution of those who are found involved in the misuse of PDAF. If there is evidence enough to convict an accused lawmaker, be it a congressman or a senator, let’s jail him. Likewise, those innocent should be acquitted,” the Senate Chief stressed.

“There is a functioning justice system that will clear the innocent and punish the guilty. We will never shield corrupt officials from being punished,” pointed out Drilon.

“We have enough laws in the land to penalize erring and corrupt government officials and we guarantee that we will implement the law,” he added. 

He said the priority now is to prosecute those involved and ensure that those who misused public funds will be held accountable for their actions.

“This Senate investigation will be relentless in searching for the truth. I consider the Pork Barrel Scam as a great injustice to the Filipino people,” Drilon said earlier.

“Ensuring that justice is upheld will always be the priority of this administration and that is the reason why we are now working towards holding accountable those who have taken advantage of the loopholes in the system,” he added.

“We will guarantee that the truth will come out and that those who will be found guilty beyond reasonable doubt will be punished, jailed, and impeached,” said Drilon.

On the subpoena for Napoles, Drilon said he will sign it immediately when the Blue Ribbon Committee submits the copy of the subpoena for his signature.

The Senate Chief clarified that even if the subpoena is directly issued to Napoles, the Philippine National Police, who has physical custody of Napoles, would still have to secure the persmission of the court as the PNP is holding Napoles not on its own, but by virtue of the order of the court.