MANILA-It must be underscored and emphasized that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has no hand in the implementation of the projects funded under the PDAF. His only involvement in the process is to identify projects for funding from his PDAF allocation.
We wish to reiterate that the implementing agencies and only the implementing agencies have the power to choose specific NGO to carry out the projects. The endorsements of certain NGOs were recommendatory at best with the ultimate choice of NGOs left to the implementing agency in accordance to laws and regulations.
It is unfortunate that several media entities unfairly attributed the failure of the IAs to strictly implement and/or monitor the implementation of projects funded by the PDAF to Sen. Estrada.
Moreover, assuming that there were bogus and non-existent beneficiaries, it must be noted that it was Benhur Luy who fabricated the said documents and invented the said names. It was also Benhur Luy’s name that appears in the documents which state that it was Luy who received the funds as President of the non-government organization in question. These disclosures came up during the cross-examination of Atty. Vic Escalante.
It is also worth noting that Atty. Escalante was unequivocal in his admission that he has no personal knowledge concerning the alleged delivery to and alleged receipt of Sen. Estrada of money/kickbacks/commissions/rebates from his PDAF – which forms the core of the plunder complaint against Sen. Estrada.
Further, he (Atty. Escalante) testified before the court that he has no personal knowledge on the issuance of SAROs and notices of cash allocation relating to the PDAF allocation of Sen. Estrada, and on the disbursement and utilization of said funds. Hence, his testimony can be considered as merely hearsay.
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