MANILA: Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said more individuals in the alleged congressional and Malampaya fund scams will be charged in the coming weeks.
During the fifth hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, De Lima said they will file charges next week against those involved in the alleged Malampaya fund mess. In the week after, De Lima said they will also file the second batch of charges against others tagged in the multi-million congressional scam, allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles.
Earlier this month, the Department of Justice filed before the Office of Ombudsman charges of plunder, malversation of public funds and for other offenses against over 30 individuals including Napoles.
Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla Jr are facing plunder charges for allegedly receiving kickbacks after channelling their funds to bogus NGOs supposedly set up by Napoles.
At the hearing yesterday, principal whistleblower Benhur Luy said Napoles has 20 non-government organisations: eight received congressional funds while the 12 got the Malampaya funds.
While she obeyed the subpoena for the whistleblowers, De Lima yesterday expressed her reservations on the presentation of the witnesses before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
The Philippine star
