KOKO: NOT A SINGLE CENTAVO OF MY PDAF WENT TO BOGUS NGOs

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, PDP Laban President, issued a categorical statement today that "not a single centavo of his PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) or pork barrel went to any of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foundations being alleged to be fronts in the pork barrel scam allegedly perpetrated by a certain Janet Lim Napoles."

"My list of PDAF projects is open to the public for scrutiny. I, therefore, welcome any and all investigations on this matter", said Pimentel in brushing aside a report which tried to link the use of the PDAF by his office to the controversy.

Pimentel also supported the pronouncement by Malacanang that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been given a "free hand" to conduct a thorough probe of the pork barrel scandal but reminds the agency to observe discipline among its ranks to prevent "leakages by anonymous sources" in the ongoing investigation so as not to destroy reputations of people.

"Let the hammer fall where it is due because good governance and the fight against corruption must transcend party lines."