Press Release
August 29, 2013

STATEMENT OF SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
On the opening of the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged PDAF
 (Priority Development Assistance Fund) scam

Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Narito po ako upang maipaalam sa inyo, lalong lalo na po sa ating mga kababayan, na kaisa ninyo ako sa pagkilala ng kahalagahan ng usaping ito patungkol sa Priority Development Assistance Fund.

Napapanood o alam niyo siguro kung gaano ako kasigasig kapag mayroong ganitong klaseng pagdinig dito sa Senado --- ang usapin patungkol sa anomalya sa militar, ang impeachment trial ni Chief Justice Corona, usapin tungkol sa jueteng, sex-for-flight issue o kung ano pang mainit na isyu na dinidinig ng komiteng ito. Name it and I'm among those at the forefront because like the chairman and other members of this committee, I recognize the importance of legislative investigations in drafting laws to address issues of national importance.

However, being one of those whose name has been mentioned in connection with the pork barrel issue, I feel compelled to excuse myself from participating in these proceedings. I believe that my presence during the investigation may be conceived as deterring the resource persons from providing relevant information or may be perceived as impeding the free-flowing discussions among the participants here.

To avoid such eventualities, Mr. Chair, I am requesting therefore that I be excused from attending the proceedings.

At sa ating mga kababayan, pinalaki po ako ng aking mga magulang ng may takot sa Diyos, na alam kung ano ang tama at mali at kung ano ang makatao at tiwali. Kaya makakaasa po kayo na katuwang niyo pa rin ako sa pagsasa-tama ng mali at pagsasa-ayos ng tiwali.

Maraming salamat po.

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