Palace expects fair, objective NBI inquiry into pork barrel scam
Malacanang assured on Friday that the ongoing investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation into the alleged pork barrel scam will be impartial and objective.
“The investigation is such that it is impartial and that it is very objective. If in the future, there are witnesses who will come out and will submit affidavits then, of course, they will be considered,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
Valte was responding to questions about its possible action if some other witnesses would come out and mention the names of these administration allies involved in the scam.
The Palace official said they want to conclude the NBI investigation at the soonest possible time adding however that prosecuting and putting those guilty behind bars are beyond its control.
“The investigation by the NBI is proceeding but, some would interpret resolution as convictions. A final conviction---that is something that is not within our hands,” she said.
Asked if the Palace sees at least an initial prosecution of those involved, Valte said they don’t want to give a timetable but certainly the investigation will be NBI’s top priority.
With regards to the alleged involvement of some officials of the Department of Agriculture, Valte said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has already initiated a fact-finding investigation on the allegations relative of the use of NGOs and the pork barrel of legislators. The DA expects the results of the investigation by next week, according to Valte.
Reacting to comments that the NBI has been selective in treating its sources and witnesses, Valte said the bureau’s main task is to get to the bottom of the allegations.
“The task of the NBI is to ferret out the truth in this particular issue. As mentioned, what is the first order of business? To determine what really happened, and the process of investigation is such that it is done by elimination and that moving forward, in that process of elimination is something that you base the documents,” she said.
Valte said the NBI can’t force witnesses to say something on things and events that do not really happen just to favor certain parties. PND (as)
Aquino to lead welcome ceremony for newly acquired warship
President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the welcome rites in Subic on August 6, Tuesday, of the country’s second newly acquired Hamilton-class cutter from the United States, the Palace announced.
The BRP Alcaraz, the second warship from the US, has arrived in the country and is expected to dock in Subic tomorrow, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
The BRP Alcaraz sailed for less than a month from San Diego, California going to the Philippines with a stop in Hawaii, Guam, Valte said. The ship left California on July 6 and has entered Casiguran, Aurora, Friday morning. It will be in Subic tomorrow, Saturday.
Asked by reporters about its part in the ongoing territorial row with China, Valte said the Philippines isn’t thinking of matching China’s military power and the acquisition of the new warship is part of the country’s modernization of the armed forces.
“The step by step upgrading that we are getting in pursuing the modernization in the military has to be done also with an eye to the other programs that we have, given that we have limitations in budget,” Valte said.
“It’s very calibrated, it’s very objective, unti-unti talaga. Hindi naman katulad nung gusto nung iba na biglaan, that we will be purchasing left and right; it has to be very objective and calculated procurement to upgrade what we have now,” he added.
The warship was named after Ramon Alcaraz, a member of the Philippine Navy, who fought alongside the US forces during the Second World War.
Alcaraz was born on August 31, 1915 and graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) under Class 1940.
During World War II, Alcaraz was part of the offshore patrol of the Philippine Navy serving under the direct command of General Douglas McArthur.
He showed his gallantry in battle when he shot down three low-flying Japanese planes off Bataan in January 17, 1942.
After the war, Alcaraz returned to offshore patrolling and helped for the modernization of the Philippine Navy.
He went to the US after leaving the Navy and became part of several movements advocating equity and justice for Filipino war veterans. He was part of the Movement for Free Philippines in Los Angeles until his last days.
Although living in the US, Alcaraz never forgot his roots and love of country.
Commodore Alcaraz died on June 25, 2009, in Orange County, California. PND (as)
